New Zealand Warriors fullback Reece Walsh has publicly admitted to using cocaine after being arrested in Surfers Paradise on Saturday night. The 19-year-old NRL star was filmed partying in a Gold Coast nightclub hours before his arrest, with video showing him dancing and lifting his shirt.
Walsh was given a 'move on direction' near Cavill Avenue but was found still in the area 45 minutes later. He was arrested and later searched at the police station, where officers found a small bag of cocaine. Walsh tearfully apologised in a video alongside the club's CEO and coach on Sunday, stating he had used the drug during the night.
'I was told by some officers last night to move on. I didn't move on and that led to me getting arrested and taken back to the police station,' Walsh said. 'Once I got back to the police station I was searched and I was in possession of a small bag of cocaine, which I had some of during the night. No one else is involved in this. It's solely on me.'
Warriors chief executive Cameron George described the incident as a 'stupid decision made by an inexperienced person' and said the club would support Walsh through the court process. He added that Walsh would start drug and alcohol counselling on Monday and had pulled out of attending the Dally M Awards, where he was expected to be named Rookie of the Year.
Walsh, who previously spoke about his mother's drug addiction, has been praised by fans for owning up to his mistake. The incident comes after a stellar rookie season where he played State of Origin for Queensland and won the Rookie of the Year award.
