- Comes after bizarre video that saw Broncos ace caught in unusual act
Victory tastes sweet, especially when sipped from a mug the shape of a toilet bowl – just ask Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
The Broncos navigated through a season punctuated with controversies and criticism to claim a drought-busting premiership against the Melbourne Storm on Sunday.
And they took the opportunity to clap back at one of the biggest off-field moments of the season – the moment Reece Walsh filmed himself drinking toilet water.
Walsh sparked headlines after posting a video of himself scooping water from a toilet and drinking it, joking that it was part of his recovery routine.
The clip quickly went viral, prompting the Broncos to clarify that the toilet was new and unused and to label the video a poor attempt at humour.
Rather than shy away from the moment, Walsh leaned into the joke by changing his profile photo to a plumber outfit and later mocking the incident with a toilet-themed try celebration.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire sips beer from a toilet-shaped mug that Reece Walsh brought to their premiership celebrations
Maguire had previously criticised Walsh for his stunt, but was all smiles after they claimed the NRL premiership against the Melbourne Storm
Coach Michael Maguire later said the young star needed to ‘adjust’ to the scrutiny that comes with being one of the NRL’s most high-profile players.
But when Walsh emerged with a toilet-shaped mug full of beer in the post-match celebrations, Maguire couldn’t resist.
‘I did enjoy a quiet beer with him last night, out of the toilet,’ Maguire said on Today, trying not to laugh.
‘The trophy. Not real toilet, the toilet trophy,’ he clarified.
‘We had a big smile on our face and all the boys were laughing.
‘He’s a character, Reecey. And you want characters in the game. I think it’s really good for us to have that.
‘He was only taking the mickey out of a very clean toilet. Reecey Walsh has been able to pull that off and show what he is very capable of.
‘I love coaching him, he’s a character. Like all my players, they’ve got their own personalities.’
Walsh was easily the best on ground in the decider, claiming the Clive Churchill medal for his efforts and celebrating in style
Walsh also paraded a replica toilet that a Brisbane Broncos fan gave him after the match
Walsh reserved his best footy for last in the decider, laying on a try, scoring one himself and pulling off three remarkable try-saving tackles to claim the Clive Churchill Medal.
It was those defensive efforts, including a last-gasp hit on Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, that most impressed his coach.
‘He’s had an extraordinary year himself,’ Maguire said.
‘He’s copped plenty, but I think his teammates have got him through to where he was yesterday.
‘He came on with some unbelievable tries. The try he scored and I think he saved five tries.
‘Right at the death when Papenhuyzen went through, I think my heart stopped there. He was able to come up with an unbelievable try-saving tackle.
‘That is something there that he has been working on all season. He’s probably known for his attack, but last night I thought he was well known for his defence.
‘His team just wanted to fight for each other. As a coach, I am super proud of the players and obviously the organisation and my staff.’
Maguire also won a premiership as South Sydney coach in 2014 and was asked by Today host Karl Stefanovic who partied harder, Walsh or Sam Burgess.
‘I don’t want to compare those two,’ Maguire said as he burst into laughter.
‘They both go OK. They both have a good time.’
