Adam Reynolds says he has not spoken with rival clubs – in the NRL or Super League – but wants to play another year at the Broncos, and sees no reason why he and off-contract back Selwyn Cobbo can’t remain in Brisbane next year.
Reynolds also spoke about the chance he might need to wear a protective neck brace – similar to the one worn by Queensland Origin star Brent Tate – to prevent further “burners” down his neck and arm, which he experienced last weekend, but will not keep him out of games.
The Broncos will be the hot ticket at Magic Round on Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium, and their 34-year-old playmaker has become the main attraction – even bigger than the game’s premier No.7, Nathan Cleary, who will be on the other side of the field for Penrith.
Reynolds is off contract at the end of this year, and some fans may have wondered if this season would be his last. But a potential 12-month extension would stretch him to a fifth year at Red Hill.
This is the same man who was offered, and turned down, a 12-month extension four years ago at South Sydney, because the club felt he was getting older and his body might break down.
“I’m finally at the stage of my career [where] I’m happy to sign one of those 12-month extensions,” Reynolds said with a smile.
“I want to stay in Brisbane. I know there’s a great opportunity this year, and in years to come, for the Broncos to do something great. I want to be a part of that. I haven’t spoken with anyone else.
“The family is a big part of this next decision. We left Sydney, and I took the kids out of their comfort zone, and it’s not fair to do that again.
“Even if a deal did come up in Sydney, or even England, I’d probably go on my own and let the family stay here. Our future is here.”
The Broncos have a host of players coming off contract, with Brisbane board member and legend Darren Lockyer admitting last month the club had not initially budgeted for Reynolds to play another year.
“But he’s the type of player that we would have to change plans for,” Lockyer told Phil Gould during a post-game interview on Channel Nine.
Cobbo is also without a deal, and Gorden Tallis, another club great, said on NRL 360 last week that he would sign the 22-year-old over Reynolds every day of the week, “and twice on Sunday”.
Reynolds has been in Tallis’ sights more than once, but said those comments were fair.
“Gordie is entitled to his thoughts, and does the club risk a one-year extension on one player, or cement the future of a kid like Cobbo who will only get better,” Reynolds said.
“It doesn’t mean we can’t both be here. If there’s a narrative out there that I might be the one to push Cobbo out, that’s simply not true.
“We haven’t even discussed numbers. I don’t even know how much I’d be valued at by the NRL.
“I want to be here. Selwyn wants to be here. Like I said, we can do something great.”
Salary cap rules will prevent the Broncos from re-signing Reynolds on a deal well below his market value.
Reynolds has been in stellar form, and his kicking game has been a standout, with the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns dedicating his column in this masthead to the masterclass the Broncos veteran put on with the boot against the Bulldogs last weekend.
“Adam Reynolds is now as good as anyone I have ever seen at winning a game with his boot,” Johns wrote.
Reynolds said the praise from “someone I regard as probably the best kicker of our generation” was “nice to hear, especially from someone I grew up idolising”.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes,” Reynolds said. “It’s nice to know the hours of practice are paying off.
“You need to have confidence to attempt those kicks – they’re unscripted, and you need to back yourself to get it right if you see an opportunity.
“Points are so hard to come by these days. Teams are great at defending structures and all the set pieces. If you can break it up with an early kick to the wing, or get a kick off an offload … teammates pick up on my cues that an early kick might be coming.
“Having good go forward helps. And having different kickers in the team – like Ben Hunt, Reece [Walsh] and Billy Walters – makes it tougher for the fullback to defend. The kicks are only as good as the chase. My teammates are making me look good.”
Reynolds was struck by a staph infection the morning of the game against the Bulldogs. He failed to finish the match after suffering a “burner” when he scored a try in the first half, then received another knock to the shoulder off the ball in the second half.
He had two vertebrae fused before the season started, and knows if the knocks continue, he may have to take up the medicos’ advice and start wearing a neck guard.
Most points in NRL history
- 2786 Cameron Smith (Storm) 2002-2020
- 2418 Hazem El Masri (Bulldogs) 1996-2009
- 2416 Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs, Broncos) 2012-present
- 2374 Jarrod Croker (Raiders) 2009-2023
- 2222 Johnathan Thurston (Bulldogs, Cowboys) 2002-2018
- 2176 Andrew Johns (Knights) 1993-2007
“It will basically help prevent that whiplash motion,” he said.
“I felt a little pain when I landed on it when I scored. I haven’t had it scanned, but they think the pain might be coming from the neck. There is the option to wear the guard down the track.
“But I’m sweet. I got through all the contact during the week. We’re looking forward to Penrith. Everyone knows they’ve been struggling. It’s a shame they never struggled in the 2021 and 2023 grand finals [games Reynolds lost with Souths and Brisbane].
“They remain a champion team with so many champion players.”
Reynolds needs three points to move ahead of Bulldogs favourite Hazem El Masri (2418) into second on the list of top points scorers in the game’s history. Melbourne hero Cameron Smith remains top with 2786.
Will Reynolds get there? Possibly, with another year at the Broncos and the attacking weapons they have. Few will give him a chance. Then again, few expected Reynolds to be playing as well as he is this late in his career.