Details have emerged of a clause in Reece Walsh‘s contract with Nike that saw him earn $50,000 for winning the Clive Churchill medal. Walsh was crowned the best player of the NRL grand final last year after leading the Broncos over the Melbourne Storm to their first premiership in 19 years.

The star fullback had a two-month run of absolute dominance, which culminated in a stunning display on grand final night. As revealed by The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, Walsh actually had 50,000 extra reasons to try and win the Clive Churchill.

Reece Walsh (L) reportedly earned $50,000 for winning the Clive Churchill medal. Image: AAP

The 23-year-old’s endorsement deal with Nike reportedly contains a provision that Walsh gets an extra $50,000 for winning the medal. Nike would be all-too happy to fork out the cash considering the eyeballs that Walsh draws every time he plays.

The fullback has the largest social media following of any NRL player, and more than the Brisbane Broncos accounts as a whole. He’s already become one of the most marketable players in the history of the game, which means good news for his sponsors like Nike.

Reece Walsh with his Clive Churchill medal after the NRL grand final in 2025.

(Getty Images)

Broncos table formal $1.5 million offer to Mitch Barnett

Meanwhile, the Broncos have reportedly tabled a two-year offer to Warriors forward Mitch Barnett worth $750,000 per season. Brisbane are keen to sign the State of Origin forward to replace Payne Haas, who will join South Sydney in 2027.

Barnett has been granted a release by the Warriors to return to Australia in 2027 – one year before his contract was meant to expire. The kicker is the Warriors want a player in return from whichever club Barnett lands at.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire flew to Sydney to meet with Barnett last week. And The Courier Mail reported on Sunday that negotiations have now progressed to the Broncos making a formal offer.

The Broncos are very keen on Mitch Barnett.

(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)

Barnett recibirá $800,000 esta temporada con los Warriors, lo que significa que la oferta de los Broncos representa un ligero recorte salarial. Pero el jugador de 32 años está regresando de una lesión en el ligamento cruzado y no es precisamente un joven.

Maguire le dio a Barnett su debut en el State of Origin por NSW en 2024 y admira su ética de trabajo. “Hablo con muchos de los jugadores que he entrenado a lo largo del tiempo, y él es uno de ellos”, admitió Maguire la semana pasada. “Es un gran personaje y, obviamente, es del tipo de jugador que me gusta”.

Haas había respaldado previamente a Barnett como su posible reemplazo, apoyando la búsqueda de los Broncos por parte del jugador estrella. Se cree que los Dragons y los Eels también están interesados en Barnett, y el Parramatta podría tener una carta trump en Zac Lomax para un posible intercambio. Lomax está prohibido de jugar en la NRL hasta 2028 después de romper su contrato con los Eels, pero el Parramatta ha dicho que están dispuestos a trabajar con cualquier club que quiera ficharlo por el precio correcto.