Joey Walsh insists it was just luck. His coach Kieran Foran describes it as pure playmaker instinct. Ivan Cleary says it was indicative of a teenage footballer with a seriously bright future.
It was the no-look pass from a part-time barber that lit up the NRL on Sunday night and may have kick-started a career many astute judges believe could be anything.
Five minutes into the second half of Penrith’s 18-16 win over Manly, the 19-year-old Sea Eagles halfback pulled the trigger on a moment of audacity, firing a heavenly flat ball to Haumole Olakau’atu.
In only his second NRL match – and first start – Walsh’s body shape suggested he would pass out the back. Instead, he delivered a bullet pass without so much as a glance at his target.
As far as head fakes go, they don’t come much better, as Olakau’atu passed the ball off to Ethan Bullemor for a try.
It was a rare instinct from a young playmaker who, in another sporting life, might have been preparing for a home Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies next year.
“Honestly, that’s just bit of luck that it got pulled off out there,” Walsh said.
“We practise all week building a combination and I had a few go-to moves. He just ran a perfect hole, so it was about getting the ball to him and letting him do the work.
“When you have someone like Haumole outside you, you just give him early ball.”
Walsh, brought in for the injured Jamal Fogarty, said he was nervous before the game but not any more so than normal, even if he was lining up against incumbent NSW and Australian No.7 Nathan Cleary.
“I had the support of all the boys and the coaching staff,” Walsh said. “That gave me a fair bit of confidence and it was a great game to be a part of. It’s exciting to play the best.”
Few are better placed to judge playmakers than Foran, who was beaming despite the result.
“That was a beautiful pass,” Foran said. “At that time of the game, to execute that the way he did, shows the sort of ability the kid’s got.
“That’s instinctive Joey. He’s been doing that all pre-season and every week against the boys at training.
“We all know what a tough kid he is. He put his body in front, time and time again. He came up with some really nice plays. He’ll only get better. He’s a real future player for us.”
Often asked about his own son after matches, Ivan Cleary was highly complimentary of Walsh, whom he has been tracking in NSW Cup.
But the four-time premiership-winning coach also offered a cautionary tale.
“As long as we’re patient and give Joey the time,” Cleary said. “Because he will go through that process now; where everyone will say how good he is and in two years’ time tell him how bad he is. He’s got a current coach who knows that story, so I’m sure he’ll help him along.
“He did really well. The more good young halves coming through, the better.”
Walsh is a popular figure at Manly, not just for his talent, but for his side hustle as a barber.
He runs an Instagram account called ‘Walsh Cuts’ and does one day a week cutting hair with mates at a salon in Collaroy.
Teammates often linger after training for a trim from the club’s resident barber.
“They were stoked for me,” Walsh said of his mates. “They all came down and I had lot of friends and family [at the game]. It was pretty special.”
The former Australian Schoolboys rugby representative signed a three-year deal with Manly in 2024 that will expire at the end of 2027.
At a time when the Wallabies are still searching for a world-class No.10, some in the 15-man game might rue letting Walsh leave the code.
Walsh, however, is content with his choice and is in no rush for regular first-grade minutes, with Foran hopeful that Fogarty will be back this week to take on the Broncos on Saturday at Brookvale Oval. Even if Walsh has to bide his time on the bench, he has no qualms with that.
“It’s good getting reps in NSW Cup and that’s definitely helped me get out there,” Walsh said. “There’s definitely no rush.
“It’s been a good move [to league]. I’ve been able to learn off some of the best halves and that made moving codes way easier. I’m really enjoying my league.”
Tom Decent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.