Adam Reynolds may be yet to determine his NRL future beyond 2025, but if the Broncos skipper’s Friday night exploits were anything to go by, he can play for as long as he desires.
The Brisbane halfback masterminded his side’s 26-16 triumph of the North Queensland Cowboys, mixing up his short kicking and running games expertly to move to third for the competition’s all-time leading point scorer (2378).
Adam Reynolds scores for the Brisbane Broncos against the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
North Queensland had the Broncos exactly where they wanted them for the opening 20 minutes, but all Reynolds needed was a sniff to capitalise; his pinpoint grubber pounced on by Jack Gosiewski to open the scoring.
Only an unfortunate bounce into the posts deprived the 34-year-old of a second try assist.
But after unleashing Gehamat Shibasaki through the middle of the field to put Brisbane in prime position, his chance beckoned again, as he threw a wild dummy to stride across untouched.
Even as the Cowboys threatened a second half comeback – bringing the contest back to 12-points apiece – Reynolds was there to steady the ship, forcing a clutch dropout in the lead up to Jesse Arthars’ fifth try of the season.
While Bulldogs great Hazem El Masri is firmly in his sights on the points board (2418), Reynolds will need to play well beyond the end of his 2025 deal to reach Storm champion Cameron Smith (2786).
Complicating matters is how the Broncos go about developing their next generation, with Coby Black honing his craft in the Queensland Cup.
Ben Hunt is also signed for next year, while the suspended Ezra Mam still waits in the wings, ensuring a Reynolds’ retention would create a serious logjam.
But Reynolds proved he was far from finished; a try, a try assist, linebreak, linebreak assist, two forced drop-outs and 29 tackles for no misses completing his resume.
“That’ll sort itself out, the future. I’m enjoying myself, I’ve got a great team around me, my preparation is spot on week in, week out. I’ve got to keep doing my job, I can’t slack off, I’ve got a role to play here. As long as I’m doing that and having fun the future will look after itself.”
Adam Reynolds
Haas the destroyer, but wounded veteran proves he still has life
For all the talk Jason Taumalolo was on the decline, he refused to show it.
Eyebrows were raised when the Tongan skipper made his return from a foot injury suffered in the Pacific Championships via the Queensland Cup – lining up for the Mackay Cutters as his Cowboys were humbled by Cronulla.
Jason Taumalolo wound back the clock for the North Queensland Cowboys against the Brisbane Broncos.Credit: NRL Photos
But the 31-year-old was parachuted into the starting pack, and it was his strong carries – finishing with 149 running metres – which gave North Queensland the early ascendancy.
“I thought he was really good, he looked strong. I spoke to him after the game, and he said his lungs were burning pretty early, but he kept pushing through. He’ll be much better next week and the week after from here.”
Todd Payten on Jason Taumalolo
Across the opening quarter, 84 per cent of the territory was in the Cowboys’ favour. Yet, it took a fortuitous re-gather from a bomb early in the second half for them to get on the scoreboard.
Call it poor attack from the Cowboys or strong defence from the Broncos; either way, it opened the doors for Payne Haas to shine.
The Broncos superstar’s exclamation mark on the contest sealed the Carl Webb Medal, stepping back on the inside and bursting past Reuben Cotter to score untouched and end the contest.
Payne Haas celebrates scoring for the Brisbane Broncos against the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
By full-time, Haas had a try, 205 running metres, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, nine tackle busts and five offloads to his name.
The case has been settled: he is the finest prop in the game.
“I think that was reflective of the forward pack working together. They had to really fight at stages through the game, and then when you’ve got someone like Payne you know he’s got that in him.”
Michael Maguire on Payne Haas
Walsh’s errors mount up
When he first burst onto the Broncos’ scene, Reece Walsh’s mistakes were offset by the remarkable things he could do with the ball.
But if he cannot eradicate the errors in his game, the Broncos could face some rude awakenings against the heavyweights of the competition.
Reece Walsh was rocks and diamonds for the Brisbane Broncos against the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
Five knock ons and two penalties, including being placed on report, compounded Walsh’s night, which could have been made to look worse had it not been for a lacklustre Cowboys’ attack.
There were some moments of magic – a 65 metre 40/20 in the lead up to Brisbane’s first try, and a pinpoint cutout pass for Arthars to score – but the hot and cold nature of his game remains a serious work in progress.
“We know what he can bring to the team, and every now and then a player goes through a little bit of that. I’ve had players who go through little periods in their careers, and that actually helps define who you are and makes you a better player.”
Michael Maguire on Reece Walsh
How Cowboys’ plight will impact Origin
It may still be early days, but none of the five Cowboys who took to the State of Origin arena last year could consider themselves certainties to take to that stage again.
While Tom Dearden has been unable to fire behind a beaten forward pack, Cameron Munster has been in remarkable touch for Melbourne, while Taulagi only just scored his first try of the season and had been tackling at 72 per cent efficiency before this clash.
In contrast, Selwyn Cobbo has been on fire for the Broncos, his 149 running metres and three tackle busts following his four tries and 11 tackle busts across the opening two rounds.
Jeremiah Nanai has already suffered the axe this year, and even Blues hooker Reece Robson has been a shadow of the man who Sydney were determined to sign from 2026, his 27 running metres a game so far his worst since his two-game debut season for the Dragons in 2018.
For Queensland to succeed, they need its NRL clubs firing.
