“It’s been pretty challenging,” Walsh said of the daily attention. “Walking down the street, or just going to the shops, a lot of people will come up and ask for photos.

“They all come from a good place. I know I was once that person who wanted a photo with [NRL players]. I always make sure I’m respectful. But it can be overwhelming.

“As the club says, this is what comes with playing for the Broncos, we have to uphold standards and make sure we’re always doing the right thing.”

Walsh has relished building his on-field chemistry with skipper and halfback Adam Reynolds, who quickly found out how much the Queenslanders loved their Broncos when he left South Sydney last year. He admired the way a newcomer such as Walsh had dealt with the intense public spotlight.

“He’s very popular, and you can see why,” Reynolds said. “He’s a flashy player with the male model looks. He actually thinks he’s a model. But he handles himself well. He’s always polite and humble – at times he can be cheeky – but he’s doing great things for the club.”

Injury robbed Walsh of a chance to make his Queensland Origin debut a couple of years ago, but pulling on a Maroons jersey remains a huge personal goal.

With Kalyn Ponga shifting to five-eighth for Newcastle this year, Walsh hopes to pour a bit of pressure on “KP″⁣ for the No.1 jersey, especially if he is the one playing regularly in the fullback position.

“It’s been in my head,” he said. “My goal is to play for Queensland but, right now, I need to do a job for Kevvie [coach Kevin Walters] and be the best No.1 I can for Brisbane,” he said.