With Adam Reynolds officially ruled out for the next three months, the Broncos have a tricky path ahead, with the loss of their skipper and halfback leaving a difficult void to fill.
Reynolds will undergo surgery for a ruptured biceps injury sustained after a tackle gone wrong in the horror loss against the Roosters, which also saw winger Jesse Arthars sidelined with a broken jaw.
While Reynolds will be hopeful of a return in Round 22, the immediate concern for coach Kevin Walters is to balance his spine, with understudy half Jock Madden, who has been out with a pectoral injury, also no certainty to be fit for this week’s game against the Eels. Josh Rogers, who made his NRL debut last year, is another half in the mix for the Broncos should Madden be unavailable.
“We have got good depth … we will get Adam back I am pretty sure before the year is out,” Walters said in an effort to be upbeat following the match.
“We would prefer for guys to not get injured, but it gives us an opportunity to have a really good look at Jock for the next 12 or 14 weeks.
Broncos v Roosters – Round 9, 2024
“He is a chance next week. It was a one to two-week injury, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to the doctors about Jock and his return. He would be an outside chance against Parramatta.”
Walters does have some basis for his optimism and faith given the talent at his disposal in his squad; but he did rule out moving star fullback Reece Walsh – who played in the halves during his during playing days – in to partner with Ezra Mam.
He also expected his key players to step into the responsibility of being leaders on the field as well as directing play.
“I think ownership needs to be spread across the group with Patty [Carrigan], Reece, Ezra, Billy [Walters] and Tyson [Smoothy]. They all need to step up in that space,” Walters said.
“(Moving Walsh) won’t be an option for us. We will leave Reece at fullback,” Walters said.
“(Tristan Sailor) could play a role there for us, certainly. He has got a good football IQ. We have been defending him in the front line and he has been doing that at Queensland Cup level [with Souths Logan Magpies].
“We have got some options but will let the dust settle over the weekend.”
Since moving to the Broncos in 2022, Reynolds has been an invaluable addition, with his leadership and experience proving the missing ingredient needed for the club to become a contender again, helping take the side to last year’s grand final.
But with Reynolds already missing three games this season with injury, Patrick Carrigan has again taken on board captaincy duties, something he first experienced when they were thrust upon him as a 20-year-old during Brisbane’s not-to-distant time of struggle.
This season, he has also taken on more of an on-field leadership role as well, taking it upon himself to step up in the absence of Payne Haas, who has been another to add to Brisbane’s injury woes.
When asked how the side would respond to losing their skipper for an extended period, Carrigan said he was up for the challenge and expected the same from his teammates.
“We will find out what we are made of,” Carrigan said.
“Such is life with footy. I think this happens with a lot of teams and we keep on keeping on. It is the next man up.
“We have got a lot of depth at our club and I am confident whoever plays there will do the job.
“There is a footy team here. We just have to iron out a couple of things.”
Before the Roosters match, Reynolds was full of praise for his deputy Carrigan and the progression he had seen in him this season, highlighting his leadership which will need to come to the forefront if the Broncos are to mount a title challenge.
“He’s been fantastic, my whole time at the club, since I've known him,” Reynolds said.
“He's a natural leader on the field and off the field as well, he lives by his actions."
Match: Eels v Broncos
Round 10 -
home Team
Eels
13th Position
away Team
Broncos
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
