Broncos legend Gorden Tallis is backing halfback Adam Reynolds to inspire Brisbane’s run to the finals, starting Saturday against the Bulldogs.
His absence was arguably the catalyst for the Broncos’ six-game losing streak which ended last round as they toppled the Knights 30-14, a game that coincided with his return from a biceps injury.
Many expected the Broncos to be a powerhouse in 2024 after last year’s grand final appearance – a game that was snatched by a resurgent Penrith in the final 20 minutes on the back of a Nathan Cleary masterclass.
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And Brisbane will have to be at their best as they face a Canterbury side full of confidence after winning five of their last seven matches to sit sixth on the ladder.
The silky No.7 is confident his body is ready to continually handle the hits, with his presence imperative to the Broncos’ chances of featuring in September.
“I got through a wrestle session which was part of the schedule with (former Broncos hardman) Josh McGuire and I felt pretty strong in that,” Reynolds said.
“I obviously got some feedback from him that I was pretty strong in that session and I thought ‘I’m a chance here and may as well ask if I could be in the extended squad and see how it goes at training.’
“There was no risk.
“I love this team and I know what this team is capable of and evidence of last year and this year along with hard work wins a lot of games.
“That starts at training and making sure we get our roles right and everyone’s particular about their job and they don’t have to worry about anyone else’s job.
“They do their job and if they do that then that’s when the talent shines.”
Josh Rogers and Jock Madden have all deputised at halfback in Reynold’s absence with mixed results.
Tallis believes the Broncos captain’s inclusion would rally his troops as they attempt to win five of their final six games needed to make the eight after slumping to eleventh on the ladder.
“The performance against Penrith when they pushed them all away without Reynolds and I know there was no Cleary but that was the effort that they needed,” Tallis said on Fox League’s NRL 360.
“They’d been expecting to win and they have turned it off and on and you can’t afford to do that and they turned it on in 20 minutes the other night against the Dragons and thought they were going to win the game.
“But it was a good performance and everyone was plugged in and they were still a bit rusty to start the game.
“There’s no doubt they’d be confident to go on a run.”
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Fellow panellist James Hooper agreed that adding the halfback’s game management has been sorely missed.
“When they were on that six-game losing streak I think some of us started to overlook just how important Adam Reynolds is,” Hooper said.
“He’s an out and out champion little No.7; from his long kicking game to his directional play to the way that he plugs both edges.
“He’s the conductor, he is the glue and the playmaker that holds it all together for the Brisbane Broncos and you only had to watch 20 minutes against Newcastle, even though it was scrappy, to realise that they’re primed and they can go on a run.
“It starts Saturday at 3pm and they continue to build. It will be flat and fast, which you would think will suit Brisbane.”
NRL 360 host and 2004 Bulldogs premiership-winner Braith Anasta said Brisbane are up for fight on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp.
“The Bulldogs have turned up every week and they are just that team now that don’t go away and are in every contest,” he said.
