Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
George Clarke

Broncos give Reynolds chance to bury grand-final demons

Adam Reynolds will assume the kicking duties for Brisbane in Sunday's grand final. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Adam Reynolds has been given a shot at grand-final redemption with Brisbane coach Michael Maguire confirming the veteran halfback will kick goals against Melbourne.

Reynolds has battled hamstring issues through the back half of the season but delivered when it mattered most in last week's preliminary-final win over Penrith.

Taking Reynolds' injury history into account, fullback Reece Walsh was Brisbane's first-choice kicker against the Panthers.

But when Walsh got the wobbles and mishit a crucial kick for goal, Reynolds stepped up and iced a sideline conversion to seal a 16-14 victory for the Broncos and end the Panthers' premiership dynasty.

The must-kick goal also buried some of Reynolds' demons of the past where the halfback's big-game composure has been questioned.

Reynolds missed a touchline conversion playing for South Sydney in the 14-12 grand-final loss in 2021 to the Panthers and was part of the Broncos who blew a 16-point lead with 20 minutes to go in the 2023 decider.

But Maguire, who won a premiership with the 35-year-old at the Rabbitohs in 2014, said the halfback was capable of handling the expectation.

"He got it right in 2014, I can tell you that," Maguire told reporters ahead of Sunday's grand final with the Storm.

Maguire and Reynolds
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has a long association with Reynolds. (Steve Markham/AAP PHOTOS)

"He knows how to do big games and you know every game is different but he's put himself with his teammates into another opportunity.

"Reyno knows how to perform on this stage.

"Last week was a great example of what I've seen Reyno doing most of his career at times and he thrives off those moments."

Maguire said he would resist the urge to make last-minute changes to his spine with five-eighth Ezra Mam again named to come off the bench.

There had been speculation Maguire may start Mam alongside Reynolds which would prompt a spine reshuffle with Cory Paix or Ben Hunt starting at hooker.

"It's one to 17, Ezra will come off the bench - he came off the bench and did a fantastic job last week," Maguire said.

"I've got a little bit (of a plan) in my head but I guess it's also the feel of the game too and how the boys are travelling."

Maguire said he was proud of the way Mam handled himself this season after the maverick playmaker sat out the first 10 weeks of the Broncos' 2025 campaign with suspension.

Mam
Ezra Mam is on the right path again, according to Maguire. (AAP PHOTOS)

Mam has been booed all season - including at Thursday's grand final team presentation - after driving his car unlicensed and crashing into another vehicle while under the influence of recreational drugs in October last year.

"He's gone through a fair bit … he knows the path that he's gone on," Maguire said.

"He's done a lot of work in the background, and all he can do is play footy for his fans, his people.

"He's grown a lot, I'm fortunate to have great conversations with him on that journey, and he just wants to go out there and do his best for his teammates."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.