NRL 2024: Adam Reynolds has turned the heat on Brisbane teammates to get on board with Kevin Walters as the blowtorch is turned on the coach

Three minutes from defeating Penrith in the grand final last year, the Broncos are in danger of ending the season as low as 12th if they can’t overcome a near full-strength Melbourne – and captain Adam Reynolds says the players need to lift for Kevin Walters.

Adam Reynolds and Kevin Walters. NRL Imagery

Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds has conceded his teammates need to “get on board” with Kevin Walters, agreeing with the coach’s assessment that some players do not understand the responsibility that comes with being a Bronco.

The Broncos – after being dismantled by Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins side – crashed out of the finals race when Newcastle beat the Titans to set-up a shootout for the final spot in the top eight against their cross-town rival.

After the Dolphins clash, Walters explained the sooner his players understood the pressure and expectation that comes with playing for the Broncos, the better off the club would be.

“Kev is spot on,” Reynolds said.

“Kev has done a fantastic job in leading this squad. He is the right man for that job, we just need to get on board and follow the instructions from Kev.

“I’ve never seen anyone more passionate about the club or who loves the club. It’s got to rub off onto the players.”

Three minutes from defeating Penrith in the grand final last year, the Broncos are in danger of ending the season as low 12th if Walters’ men can’t overcome a near full strength Melbourne on Thursday night.

Adam Reynolds and Kevin Walters. Picture: NRL Photos

Brisbane’s below par performances have put the coach under the blowtorch, even sparking speculation that Walters did not have the full support of the players.

The Broncos have missed the finals series in three of the past four seasons that Walters has been in charge at Red Hill.

But Reynolds believes Walters is the right man to help the under siege club navigate through this difficult period.

“Absolutely, I don’t believe there is another man for the job. Kev has had success as a player and as a coach,” Reynolds said.

“We believe in him. He’s done a fantastic job. He’s definitely the right man for the job.”

The Broncos have suffered through a number of serious injuries this season, including to the likes of Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Jesse Arthars and Reynolds, all who have been out for extended periods.

Reynolds said the club could not use the injuries as an excuse for failing to secure a finals berth.

“It is extremely disappointing the position we find ourselves in,” he said.

“It is completely irrelevant to last year. I know a lot of people keep drawing it back to that, but it is a different team.

“We’ve had a fair few injuries.

“All those things you could use as excuses but we simply weren’t good enough this year. We will review the season once it is done, have a really good pre-season and come back better and try and improve for next year.”

“It’s easy to sit there as an outsider and nitpick … we are still trying out there, we are trying really hard and things aren’t working for us.

“We’ll stick tight as a group, as a team, as a club and work our way through it.”

Reynolds is confident he can still be an asset to the Broncos in 2025. Picture: NRL Photos

Even though Reynolds was hampered by a biceps injury in 2024, the skipper is still confident of being an invaluable asset to the Broncos as Walters attempts to turn around the club’s on-field fortunes in 2025.

Reynolds, 34, said he would not be making a call about his future anytime soon.

“I suppose when the time comes,” Reynolds said.

“Firstly I have to be playing good footy, I have to be doing my job.

“If I am not doing my job, then I’m not doing the team any favours … that is when a decision will be made.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Adam Reynolds has turned the heat on Brisbane teammates to get on board with Kevin Walters as the blowtorch is turned on the coach