There may be plenty of hype around him but for young Manly half-back Joey Walsh, every game he plays is just about personal growth and learning his trade more.
After making his NRL debut against the Warriors in round 27 last year, 19-year-old Walsh has been calling the shots for Manly’s NSW Cup team in what has been a tough start for the Sea Eagles with just one win this season.
A Manly junior, Walsh’s name has been highly spoken about since bursting onto the scene as the Australian U18s rugby flyhalf in 2023.
The Sea Eagles were fortunate to secure his services, with Walsh spending his first season in 2025 learning from the club’s most capped player in Daly Cherry-Evans.
With Cherry-Evans now gone, Walsh has been fortunate to gain even more knowledge this season from Manly interim coach Kieran Foran, as well as NSW Cup Coach in former Origin and Australian half-back, Brett Kimmorley.
“Since I first met ‘Foz’ in pre-season training, he has been so good for me,’’ Walsh said.
“He has plenty of experience and is just a great bloke. It’s been great to learn off him, especially knowing what he has achieved in the game.
“Honestly, for me growing up as a kid watching Manly play, it was Daly and Kieran in the halves, so it’s been crazy to be in a position where I have had the opportunity to learn off both.
“Brett has been unreal for me as well, especially with my kicking game, so I'm just trying to learn as much as I can from him too.”
Foran said Walsh has been one of the most consistent performers in the NSW Cup team.
“We’ve really challenged Joey to keep being one of the best on the field when he's playing at Cup level,’’ Foran said.
“He is splitting teams open each week with his running game. He is ultra-competitive and tough.
“My challenge for Joey has just been around making sure he manages games to the best of his ability and for what the team needs. He is showing great growth in that area.
“Joey is doing a really good job. He's going to be a special player.
“Everyone knows how highly I rate him. I think he's going to have a huge future. He is going to play an important part as the year goes on.”
Kimmorley said he has been more than pleased with Walsh’s progress given the amount of scrutiny on him.
“It takes time this thing, especially in a key position when you’ve got to know how to game manage, when to kick the ball, and when to pull the trigger or not,’’ Kimmorley said.
“One thing he's doing exceptionally well is defending. It’s a good thing for a half-back to be wanting to put his work into his defence and to not totally worry about how he's attacking. He is certainly a strong defender.
“Joey wants to learn more and is always asking questions.
“He’s always spoken about in the media. Every time he takes the field, you can hear other players calling out his name to watch him closely.
“Joey is a pretty marked man and for a young kid to be handling all of that so well is testament to him.”
As for Walsh himself, he is one laid-back young man when it comes to the outside noise.
“For me, it’s sweet. When I'm at home away from footy, I'm not really looking into any of that stuff, so I don't see too much of it to be honest,’’ Walsh admitted.
“I’m just focusing on playing some good footy in NSW Cup, banking some wins, and seeing what happens from there. I’m just very grateful to be where I am.”
