Footy star Reece Walsh’s masculinity is attacked over tiny detail in photo – but fans defend the Broncos ace

NRL star Reece Walsh’s masculinity has been questioned after he posted a photo of himself wearing nail polish.

Walsh, 21, is preparing to return for the Broncos against the Dolphins on Friday night after suffering a fractured eye socket against the Panthers last month.

Walsh’s return would be a huge boost for Brisbane, who have already lost halfback Adam Reynolds to the derby.

Walsh looked fit during training on Monday, wearing a pink helmet and black-painted nails, as he usually does.

Other young NRL players are also known to paint their nails, including Brisbane teammate Ezra Mam.

Walsh also shared a photo of himself on social media with Mam, their nails visibly painted in the foreground.

The photo ended up on an online football forum, with the caption: ‘Reece Walsh of painted nail fame… only in QLD’ accompanied by a face palm emoji.

However, the comments were largely supportive of Walsh, who previously shared photos of himself joining his young daughter Leila by painting her nails.

‘Fragile masculinity hahaha. It’s just nail polish bro,’ one person responded.

‘Could it be because he has a young daughter? He keeps playing if your little one wants his nails painted,’ said another.

Walsh became emotional last year when asked about the role fatherhood and his young daughter Leila have played in his life.

He previously posted photos of him and Leila painting their nails together.

‘She has been incredible to me. She calms me down,’ she said.

‘Not everything is football and work. When I’m at the (Broncos) facility, I’m the football player.

‘When I go out and see my little one and my family, I’m a dad.

‘It’s pretty impressive. I’m still very young but I feel like if it weren’t for her I wouldn’t be in this position. She’s pretty awesome. I get excited about that.’

The superstar’s career was at a crossroads in 2021 when he was suspended for cocaine possession while playing for the New Zealand Warriors.

He returned to the Broncos last season to be closer to his daughter, who he believes makes him a better man and player.

Walsh even got some Leila-inspired tattoos on her arm and leg.

“They represent my little daughter,” he said.

‘I put his name on my arm, I bought a watch that shows the time he was born and the tattoo on my leg is of a lion and a lion cub.

‘That represents me taking care of my daughter, so that’s what it means.

“I love being a father.”