Vowing to take his electrifying game to new levels, Reece Walsh has his sights firmly on becoming Australia's No.1.
Brisbane's grand final hero on Tuesday conceded winning the fullback spot for the Kangaroos' first Ashes tour of England in 22 years would be a dream come true.
Walsh earned a call-up into new coach Kevin Walters' 24-man squad after leading the Broncos to a first premiership since 2006 with a scintillating finals display.
Now the 23-year-old is making no secret of his desire to claim the No.1 jersey, after Dylan Edwards wore it in last year's Pacific Championships success.
"Of course you always want to be in the team," Walsh told reporters in Sydney when asked if he wanted the No.1 jersey.
"It's one of the biggest things you can do in the game, (play for Australia).
"I gave my family another hug before I left and to see how proud they were, how much it meant.
"So, to be able to do that with the world-class players in the team, I'm just grateful to be in camp and I can't wait just to soak it all in."
Walsh said he hoped to be able to learn from Edwards, with the pair having faced off in the 2023 grand final but having never played together before.
"Dyl's in here too, he's been a prime fullback for so many years," Walsh said.
"So just to be able to rub shoulders with him, it's going to be good for my game.
"I'm only 23, so I definitely feel like with good people around me, a good circle that's going keep me accountable, you know, I only want the best for my mates.
"I want to grow and I want to be the best person I can be and the best player."
The battle for the No.1 jersey comes after James Tedesco withdrew from the squad, in order to be best man at his brother's wedding.
Australia leave for England on Wednesday morning, before the first Test of the three-match series at Wembley on October 25.
After playing five State of Origin games for Queensland in 2023 and 2024, Walsh is relishing the chance to once again play under former Broncos mentor and new Australian coach Kevin Walters.
"Reuniting with Kevie Walters is massive, man," he said.
"Just to play under Kev, man, I'm so excited.
"That was probably the biggest thing I was looking forward to, just getting around Kev and rubbing shoulders with him again.
"We've got a good relationship so I'm really excited about what we've got going on and, yeah, I can't wait."
Walsh is also leaning on fullback great Billy Slater.
The Broncos fullback was not even born when the Kangaroos last toured England in 2003.
"It's pretty crazy," he said.
"It's something I'm looking forward to, reflecting on the history and all of that stuff."
