Have a crack’: Walsh sharpens focus as Ponga steps up….

Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has set a goal to improve his defensive clout as Newcastle custodian Kalyn Ponga ramps up the battle for the Queensland No.1 jersey.

Against Canberra away on Saturday night, Walsh has another chance to showcase why he can be an elite fullback on both sides of the ball.

Broncos dual-premiership winning legend and the club’s successful 2006 defensive coach Peter Ryan told AAP that 22-year-old Walsh was a technically strong defender who would only improve with experience.

Walsh was the Maroons fullback in game three of last year’s State of Origin series, with Ponga coming off the bench.

Ponga has made a sensational start to the season for the Knights, with a man-of-the-match display in Thursday night’s 26-12 win over the Dolphins a reminder of his elite talents.

The Newcastle star had a hand in four tries before halftime, moving Maroons coach Billy Slater to say in Channel Nine commentary that it was “a 10 out of 10” display.

Ponga has also been superb defensively in the opening two rounds. His determination and positional sense enabled him to defuse several kicks in the 10-8 win over Wests Tigers in round one, where he also made it back into the field of play.

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Walsh, a brilliant attacker, has been working on his positional play, fitness and organisation of the defensive line as he takes the next step in his development.

Penrith’s Dylan Edwards, a superbly fit athlete, is the leading No.1 in those defensive movements.

“Each year I have had that emphasis on wanting to get better with defence. It comes with experience too,” Walsh told AAP.

“You look at a lot of young fullbacks that are still finding their feet and getting used to the speed and contact.

“It is just a matter of finding what works for me and getting consistency around my defence. That’s a big one.

“I pride myself on getting in the line. I will have a crack and put my head in those (dangerous) places.”

Ryan, one of the great defenders of the modern era, attended a recent Broncos training session and has watched Walsh defend in games. He said there were good signs and room for improvement.

“I’ve got a lot of time for that kid because he can tackle, that little fella. He will have a crack,” Ryan told AAP.

“He’s small but he will go to the next level when he gets more confidence in what he can do.

“I think he can do it, and I just hope he does. One day he will do a tackle that no-one is expecting him to make. He will say to himself, ‘I did that’. It will be like a light being switched on in his head.

“I like him for his attitude to footy.

“Walsh is an eclectic character. I hadn’t seen him in a few years and he came up and said ‘g’day’ to me. I just saw looking into his eyes, the depth of his mind. It’s about footy and more than being a rock star with him.”

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