'All bark no bite': Reece Walsh fires back at Stefano Utoikamanu as grand final feud reignited
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Reece Walsh has fired back at Stefano Utoikamanu, reigniting the feud that dominated headlines in the lead-up to and aftermath of last year's grand final.
Utoikamanu infamously labelled some Broncos players as "stuck up" during a press conference before the decider, though refused to reveal who he was referencing.
The comments came back to bite the Storm front-rower when Brisbane came from behind to take out the game and lift the premiership trophy.
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Stefano Utoikamanu during the 2025 NRL grand final. Getty
During the celebrations, a video circulated of Walsh taking a cheeky swipe back.
"Stefano's up, we're f-----g up baby," the fullback said as his teammates cheered.
With the two teams set to square off in a rematch of the 2025 decider on Friday night, the topic has reared its head again, and Utoikamanu made his feelings known.
"I wasn't too happy about it, but it is what it is," he told The Courier Mail.
"They won the game, but you've got to put your balls on the line. Say it before the game; don't say it after."
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Utoikamanu's latest barb hasn't gone unnoticed at Red Hill either.
In a social media post on Thursday morning, Walsh went back at the Melbourne prop and claimed he was "all bark no bite", accompanied by an eyeball emoji.
Reece Walsh's swipe at Stefano Utoikamanu. Instagram/Getty
Paul Gallen has defended the latest comments from Utoikamanu and believes the way Brisbane players handled it in the aftermath of the grand final was wrong.
"I know what I'd want to do [to Walsh] and I know what Stefano would want to do, but you can't do it in this day and age," he said on 2GB's Wide World Of Sports
"I've gotta be honest, I do agree with what Stefano said … it's quite easy to say what Reece Walsh said post-game after they've won a grand final.
"If you're gonna have a go at someone, you should have a go at someone before the event comes up and put your balls on the line.
"Having a crack post-event in hindsight is a lot easier."
Craig Bellamy seemingly wasn't a fan of Utoikamanu's comments last time around and it will be interesting to see how the Storm coach reacts on this occasion.
"For a quiet guy, he's got plenty to say," Braith Anasta said this week on NRL 360.
Utoikamanu has started this season in red-hot form, playing a starring role in the Storm's wins over Parramatta and St George Illawarra.
The latest back-and-forth sets the stage for the round three blockbuster at AAMI Park, with the Broncos desperate to grab their first win of the season.
