Walsh v Utoikamanu Round 2 kicks off ahead of GF rematch

Reece Walsh has reignited his simmering feud with Melbourne's Stefano Utoikamanu with a pointed Instagram post ahead of the Grand Final rematch between the Storm and the Broncos.

While he didn’t specifically name Utoikamanu, the post is widely interpreted as a dig at the Storm star, following comments Utoikamanu made in the lead-up to the game.

The feud traces back to last season’s Grand Final, when Utoikamanu called some Broncos players “stuck-up” prior to Brisbane’s comeback 26-22 victory, inspired by Walsh.

“There’s going to be a lot of people I want to run at,” Utoikamanu said before the grand final.

“There’s a lot of people I don’t like in this team, and I’m keen to go out there and run someone over. I don’t want to name names but, there’s a lot of people I think are a bit stuck-up.”

The Broncos used the remark as extra motivation, and Walsh couldn’t resist a cheeky dig during post-game celebrations in the sheds:

“Let me say something. Boys, boys, boys. Stefano’s stuck. We’re f***ing up, baby!”

Utoikamanu told The Courier Mail he wasn't impressed with the mocking.

“They won the grand final, they got the ring, so I’m just keen on working through this season and trying to do my best every week to make my team even better.”

“I wasn’t too happy about it (Brisbane’s mocking), but it is what it is. They won the grand final, they got the ring, so I’m just keen on working through this season and trying to do my best every week to make my team even better.”

The Melbourne prop doubled down on his pre-season comments ahead of the rematch at AAMI Park.

“It is what it is. 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.”

Now, Walsh has done just that. As Broncos players arrived in Melbourne, he shared an image of himself in a black hoodie with the words: “All bark no bite 👀”

Now we wait for the next chapter in a brewing rivarly as the Broncos try to break their nine year drought against Melbourne in Melbourne.

Hero image: Source - AAP/NRL Photos