Reece Walsh Targeted for Olympic Glory as Flag Football Eyes NRL Superstar for 2028 Games
Despite a rocky start to the NRL season, Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh is reportedly being courted by Australia’s emerging flag football team ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The 22-year-old fullback has struggled to find top form in 2025, with his performances riddled with uncharacteristic errors and a visible lack of synergy with new teammate Ben Hunt. Yet, his natural athleticism and dynamic playing style have caught the attention of former Wallabies legend Quade Cooper, who has flagged Walsh as a prime candidate for the Olympic squad.
Cooper, 37, has announced his own ambitions to represent Australia in flag football and is spearheading the sport’s push into the mainstream. As part of an Australian squad set to tour the United States in June, Cooper hopes to build a formidable team capable of not only competing but excelling on the world stage — and he believes Walsh could be a game-changer.
“You look at guys like Reece Walsh and the Hammer (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow) — their speed, agility, and skill set are tailor-made for flag football,” Cooper told Code Sports. “They’re explosive, they’re smooth movers, and they know how to operate on both sides of the ball.”
Flag football is a non-contact, fast-paced version of American football, and its Olympic inclusion in 2028 is being hailed as a major opportunity for crossover athletes from rugby league, union, and AFL. Cooper believes that players like Walsh, who already possess a strong tactical mind and elite athleticism, can thrive in the sport.
More than just chasing an Olympic medal, Cooper sees his involvement as a chance to help shape the future of Australian sport. “This could change the landscape for a lot of people — giving new athletes a path to the Olympics through a game that shares so much with the codes they already love,” he said.
As the countdown to the LA Olympics begins, don’t be surprised if Walsh swaps a Steeden for a pigskin and helps blaze a new trail in Aussie sporting history.
