Adam Reynolds has signalled he is free of the knee injury that has plagued the start of the 2024 campaign, orchestrating a 38-12 Broncos’ boilover of the previously undefeated Cowboys.
The Brisbane skipper’s lethal boot on his return to action after missing last week’s defeat to the Panthers was directly responsible for 16 of his side’s first 20 points.
Adam Reynolds in action for the Brisbane Bronco against the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
North Queensland’s back three were in tatters, unable to come up with answers for the booming bombs of Reynolds in wet Suncorp Stadium conditions.
After Broncos hooker Billy Walters did it all himself from dummy-half to open the scoring, it was a trademark towering Reynolds kick that forced poor judgement from Scott Drinkwater – who will be having many a Reynolds-themed nightmare with five errors.
The Cowboys fullback was left to rue his decision to let the ball bounce, which only resulted in Brisbane prop Fletcher Baker sending a Harbour Bridge pass over the top for Jesse Arthars to cross.
A pinpoint grubber kick for Kotoni Staggs gave Reynolds another try assist, while two more bombs drew mistakes and eventual penalties from Drinkwater, Murray Taulagi and Kyle Feldt to extend the home team’s lead.
The pressure the 33-year-old built laid the foundation for Tyson Smoothy’s try slicing out of dummy-half, and Ezra Mam’s grubber for himself to score.
Saving his best for last, his deft short kick in the dying stages sent the stadium into raptures, as returning fan favourite Corey Oates dove on the loose ball to score his first try since 2022.
Reynolds finished with a remarkable 629 kicking metres to go with three try assists, seven goals and a forced drop-out, with the pressure he built laying the foundation for Tyson Smoothy’s try slicing out of dummy-half, and Ezra Mam’s grubber for himself to score.
Underdog Broncos pack stands up
Plenty of questions had been asked of the Broncos forward pack, as critics reared their heads to declare that without Payne Haas, they lacked the grunt to match it with the competition’s best.
Haas’ knee injury, which is expected to sideline him for another four weeks, has left a gaping void in coach Kevin Walters’ forward rotation – one that was already hunting for ways to cover for the departing Thomas Flegler, Keenan Palasia and Kurt Capewell.
Promising backrower Brendan Piakura also succumbed to an ankle concern on Tuesday, but against the likes of Cowboys stars Jason Taumalolo, Reuben Cotter, Jordan Mclean and Jeremiah Nanai, the Broncos stood tall.
Pat Carrigan was, as is custom, fearless and relentless, running for 170m and making 37 tackles, but he needed his teammates to come to the part – particularly off the ball.
Pat Carrigan was typically determined for the Brisbane Broncos against the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
That they did, forcing several mistakes from their opposite numbers, while Jordan Riki’s kickchase gave Taulagi plenty of cause for concern.
While there were moments of razzle-dazzle from North Queensland – Taulagi’s perfect infield banana kick for Valentine Holmes, and an offloading masterclass for Drinkwater to score among the highlights – the pressure built by the Broncos pack off the ball was pivotal.
The Cowboys completed just 10 of 18 sets in the opening half, and if not for two moments of magic would have been rudderless against the Broncos’ renewed confidence in their defensive wall.
Dearden’s Origin moment as Munster mystery continues
Irrespective of the outcome, Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden embodied many a great leader before him in one of the finest covering tackles to be witnessed.
As Broncos centre Selywn Cobbo latched onto an intercept on his own line, he appeared destined to score for all money and give his side what could have been a 14-point lead.
Not on Dearden’s watch.
Sprinting from the other side of the field, the former Bronco and one-time Maroon dove and tackled Cobbo into touch just as he was about to ground the ball – a moment reminiscent of Daly Cherry-Evans’ exploits on Stephen Crichton in State of Origin Game II last year.
Ultimately, his desperation was in vain, as a knock-on early in the set resulted in Tyson Smoothy slicing through from the ruck to extend Brisbane’s margin.
Tom Dearden in action for the North Queensland Cowboys against the Brisbane Broncos.Credit: NRL Photos
Even with ball in hand, North Queensland’s co-captain produced a brilliant cutout pass for Taualgi to set up Holmes’ try, and shortly after threw a trademark dummy to get his team on the front foot again.
While Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster has begun training with the Melbourne Storm from a groin injury, hopeful of lining up against the Broncos next week, the full extent of the setback still remains a mystery.
If he is unable to recover sufficiently, or other issues emerge from the concern, Dearden’s resolve and never-say-die mentality will ease any potential headaches for Maroons coach Billy Slater in knowing the Cowboys leader is ready and willing to step up again.
Peace of mind amid Walsh woes
It appeared it was crisis stations at Red Hill when Reece Walsh was taken from the field against the Panthers, confirmed to have suffered a facial fracture from a brutal head collision with Taylan May.
But while the fullback’s star power places him among the game’s elite, his deputy in Tristan Sailor showcased that as long as the men in front of him perform, he can keep the side’s attack clicking.
Tristan Sailor returned to the Brisbane Broncos side to take on the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
On the back of his four 2023 NRL appearances, the son of club great Wendell was the obvious inclusion to garner game-time in Walsh’s absence, and another complete performance in the maroon colours justified the decision to stamp out an attempted Super League poaching raid last year.
Sailor’s darting dummy-half runs coming out of trouble shifted momentum at times for Brisbane, finishing with 183m, while his kick chase pressure and support play kept his opposite number on his toes.
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