Adam Reynolds appears to have no concerns about taking the field in the Broncos’ historic season-opener in Las Vegas, allaying fears of an ankle injury throughout a gruelling session on Friday.
Last Monday, the halfback sent a shudder through Red Hill when he fell to the turf, with the club confirming it was a muscle strain in his right foot.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds trained strongly this week, in a sign the ankle injury he sustained would not keep him from the Las Vegas hit-out.Credit: Tertius Pickard
But the 33-year-old skipper has taken part in contact training this week, even climaxing a Wednesday opposed session with a field goal, and looked unhindered in an officiated, full match simulation at Broncos HQ – kicking goals, orchestrating the play, defending with vigour and taking the line on at times.
Brisbane’s reserve halfback, Jock Madden, looks set to be a lock for a place in the squad, which heads to the United States to take on the Roosters on March 3, as cover for both Reynolds and Ezra Mam, but he would be on high alert for a shock call-up, in light of the captain’s situation.
But the 23-year-old, who confirmed he had inked a contract extension to the end of 2026, said he had no doubt the champion No.7 would be fit to take the field.
His job, he said, was simply to ensure he was ready to step up should another setback hit the Broncos’ ranks.
“Nah (I wasn’t worried),” Madden laughed, when asked if he began thinking of a Vegas shot when Reynolds succumbed to injury.
“I’ve just got to make sure I’m ready; I’ve got to stay ready week in week out and continue to push myself and make sure I’m getting better.
“You never know when your opportunity is going to come.”
Reynolds has heavily indicated he desired to play on into 2025, with contract negotiations reportedly ongoing between player and club.
Yet, that failed to deter Madden from putting pen to paper on a new deal, intent on establishing himself as the heir apparent to the veteran’s jumper.
Young gun Coby Black, who this week was called into the initial Queensland Under-19s squad to be coached by recently announced Maroons assistant Matt Ballin, will be nipping at his heels over the next two years to stake a claim for that job.
Jock Madden re-signed with the Broncos through to the end of 2026, despite Adam Reynolds indicating strongly he would play on in 2025.Credit: Getty
But Madden said despite his desire to cement himself as a first-grade regular, he harboured no desire to walk out on the Broncos as he approached the end of his initial 2024 contract.
He said with the likes of coach Kevin Walters, Allan Langer and Reynolds to learn under, this apprenticeship would be what holds him in the best stead to attain his ambitious goals of owning the No.7 jersey for the long haul.
“I’ll obviously continue to learn as much as I can from them. I’m trying to pick Reyno’s brain as much as I can on things I can work on,” Madden said.
“I obviously want to be playing NRL, so I will be pushing myself in that 17, keep impressing as much as I can for Kevvie.
“I 100 per cent want to take over after Reyno. It’s a great club, there’s a great fan base up here and I love playing up here.
“We’ve got that many blokes – Aflie, Kev, Reyno – I’ve learnt as much as I can off them. It’s good knowledge for me and a good learning curve, and I’ll continue to grow my game from that.”
