NRL 2024: Broncos captain Adam Reynolds vows to lift game ahead of Battle of Brisbane and reunion with Wayne Bennett

Brisbane are banking on Adam Reynolds to keep their slim finals hopes alive, with the veteran halfback vowing to lift his game and as he looks to bury his former coach Wayne Bennett – the man who helped deliver him to the Broncos.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Adam Reynolds of the Broncos scores a try during the round 25 NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium, on August 23, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Hard-marking Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds has vowed to lift his game as he looks to bury the Dolphins and Wayne Bennett – the super coach who helped deliver him to the Broncos.

The Broncos are banking on Reynolds to keep their slim finals hopes alive in Saturday night’s Battle of Brisbane blockbuster against expansion rivals the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos have won all three contests against the Dolphins and the fourth instalment of the Battle of Brisbane shapes as the most crucial derby yet with both teams equal ninth on 26 competition points.

Brisbane (+2) are slightly ahead of the Dolphins (-27) on percentages and will start favourites after Reynolds produced two moments of magic to sink the Eels last Friday night and give the Broncos hope.

The champion playmaker intercepted a loose Eels pass to break an 18-all deadlock before slotting the clever grubber that allowed Kotoni Staggs to seal a 30-24 victory in the dying minutes.

Despite a man-of-the-match performance, Reynolds is not satisfied. The veteran No.7 made a game-high four errors, including a last-minute kick out on the full that gave the Eels one final chance to level scores.

Adam Reynolds wasn’t satisfied despite a man-of-the-match performance against the Eels. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

With attacking cohorts Ezra Mam (ankle) and Reece Walsh (hand) to miss the Dolphins clash, the Broncos cannot afford a below-par Reynolds. He is determined to put the boot into Bennett’s Dolphins.

“There were just moments in the game where I could have been better, simple as that,” Reynolds said of his rocks-and-diamonds performance against the Eels.

“There was a lot on the line.

“There were moments in the game there I was happy with but also moments I’m not proud of.”

If anyone appreciates Reynolds’ influence, it is Bennett.

Adam Reynolds and Wayne Bennett together at Souths. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Reynolds was Bennett’s captain at Souths in the year the Rabbitohs surged to the 2021 grand final. When the Rabbitohs were unable to keep Reynolds due to salary-cap constraints, Bennett phoned Broncos coach Kevin Walters with one message: “Sign Adam Reynolds”.

Now Reynolds can return to haunt Bennett, whose Dolphins are on their knees after seven losses from their last 10 games, including Saturday night’s 48-6 hammering by the Storm.

To compound the Dolphins’ plight, Bennett will be without key duo Kodi Nikorima and Jesse Bromwich, who both suffered concussions in the heavy loss at AAMI Park.

In the absence of front-row enforcer Bromwich, Bennett will be sweating on the availability of prop Tevita Pangai Jr, who missed the Storm clash with a hamstring strain.

Despite the twin setbacks, Bennett vowed to go down swinging against a Broncos team hoping the eighth-placed Dragons lose two of their final three games to open the finals door.

Will Adam Reynolds return to haunt Wayne Bennett? Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“It’s a category one (for Nikorima and Bromwich), so it’s an automatic 11-day stand down, there’s no discussion,” Bennett said.

“That was our worst performance of the season.

“I’m sure we will regroup. We are going to lose a couple of players (Nikorima and Bromwich), so that adds to the injuries, but we will turn up in Brisbane and be doing our best.”

Former England captain and Fox Sports analyst James Graham refuses to write-off the Broncos as a finals force.

“That win (over the Eels) applies pressure to the Dolphins and the Dragons,” Graham said. “All Brisbane can do is keep winning and hope the Dragons slip up and they can beat the Dolphins.

“But wouldn’t Wayne Bennett love to knock the Broncos out given their history.”