Adam Reynolds is poised to go down as the greatest recruitment masterstroke in Broncos’ history, with one club champion declaring him a ‘carbon copy’ of their last premiership-winning captain.
Reynolds will forever remain in South Sydney folklore; the maestro behind the 2014 side who ended a 43-year title drought.
Adam Reynolds has been lauded a ‘carbon copy’ of the great Darren Lockyer for the Broncos.Credit: Getty
But the decision to only offer him a one-year deal backfired horrifically. The Rabbitohs missed the finals this year, while the 33-year-old guided Brisbane to the big dance.
Since the retirement of legendary skipper Darren Lockyer, the Broncos have been craving a leader in the halves to guide a group of talented youngsters.
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Ben Hunt went within a Johnathan Thurston field goal of delivering in 2015, but aside from that, Brisbane have never looked a chance of replicating the success Lockyer orchestrated.
Until now. And according to Lockyer’s 2006 premiership-winning teammate, Karmichael Hunt, Reynolds was showing all the traits that made his old five-eighth a club hero.
“Having watched them over this finals’ series, they look in control of their emotions, they look connected as a group and look convicted in how they want to play football,” Hunt said.
“Without being the same player, they are almost – in terms of their roles for the team – it’s almost a carbon copy.
“Two wonderful ball players in the halves and great leaders, who won premierships before, who go about their games in similar manners. I think you can just see Adam’s calming influence on the group, and ‘Locky’ was a real calming influence as well.
“He made the big plays when the team needed a big play, and Reyno is obviously showing a lot of those similar traits.”
Darren Lockyer and Wayne Bennett celebrate the Broncos’ 2006 premiership triumph.Credit: Getty
When Reynolds arrived in late 2021, he knew the potential was there for a champion outfit.
The likes of Kotoni Staggs, Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo had announced themselves as future stars, while five-eighth Ezra Mam was eagerly awaiting his opportunity.
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In attack, they could be lethal, but they lacked consistency. They had not been exposed to the preparation and game management required to achieve ultimate glory.
Those four have since gone on to have career best campaigns in the past two years, while fullback Reece Walsh has been unleashed with Reynolds pulling the strings.
“You know the quality you play against – you see their strengths, and you see their weaknesses – and there were a lot of strengths before I came up here,” Reynolds said.
“It was just trying to figure out my part and how I could make the team better. I like a good challenge, throw anything at me, and I’ll try and solve it.
“There was a lot of potential here, it was just about coming up here, and trying to put in a simple game plan where the boys could buy in.
“We knew once they bought in there was going to be a pretty good system up here.”
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds with fans days before the face-off with the Panthers.Credit: Tertius Pickard
While Brisbane’s attack has clicked, their defence has thrust them into Sunday’s grand final battle with the Panthers.
In 2020, the Broncos conceded 624 points. In 2023, just 437 – second only to the Panthers.
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Reynolds’ direction to his forwards, and diligent preparation, has eradicated many of the frailties which plagued the club’s dark years.
It is another trait, according to champion Brisbane prop Petero Civoniceva, the halfback shares with Lockyer.
“Knowing where he’s directing you to and focusing on your job, I think definitely helps in being able to be a calm and confident football team when you have a great leader like that,” Civoniceva said.
“It’s the confidence and understanding of where you need to get to. For me, I was really lucky, because ‘Locky’ was such a great director of the team around the park.
“Having him in the background directing the pack gives you a tremendous amount of confidence and calmness too.
Petero Civoniceva and Brad Thorn both featured in the 2006 Broncos premiership team.Credit: Paul Harris
“His [Reynolds] influence is huge, but it’s also been Kurt Capewell coming. In those two players, what they’ve done in terms of providing confidence to these young players [has been huge].
“You look at Patty Carrigan and Payne Haas and Ezra Mam, just the level they’ve taken their game to this season and consistency they’ve achieved ... has been from the confidence they’ve gained from having two absolute professionals in Kurt and Reyno.”
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