NRL 2024: Adam Reynolds hits back at Gorden Tallis after savage attack accusing captain of abandoning Kevin Walters

Adam Reynolds has hit back at Gorden Tallis following a savage attack, with the Broncos skipper rubbishing accusations that he’s abandoned coach Kevin Walters amid his side’s season capitulation.

Adam Reynolds and Gorden Tallis

Adam Reynolds has hit back at a savage attack launched by Brisbane legend Gorden Tallis, accusing the skipper of abandoning coach Kevin Walters in the Broncos’ stunning collapse from finals contention.

Brisbane’s freefall prompted a tirade from former skipper Tallis, who shot down suggestions Walters should be sacked, instead turning the blowtorch on Broncos players, chiefly captain Reynolds.

Tallis claims Reynolds has failed to publicly support Walters.

He also questioned the captain’s decision to take on extra guest appearances for broadcaster Triple M after teammate Billy Walters recently quit the network following criticism of his father, Broncos coach Kevin.

Reynolds rubbished those claims on Monday morning but was careful not to enter a public slanging match with Tallis over the stinging accusations.

“It’s his opinion. He’s entitled to his opinion,” Reynolds said.

Adam Reynolds and Gorden Tallis

“I was on the radio this morning backing Kev. I will back Kev whenever I need to.

“Kev brought me here from down South and he’s given me a great opportunity to come to a great club and do something special.

“I love the place and I’m forever grateful for him doing that.”

Tallis last month called for Reynolds to be sacked as captain and replaced by deputy Pat Carrigan and the ‘Raging Bull’ has lashed the skipper again ahead of the Storm clash.

The former Broncos skipper also questioned player morale at Red Hill, claiming Brisbane’s ex-premiership teams were so close they would have “punch-ups” at training in their competitive desire to be the best.

The Broncos are officially out of the playoffs race after the Knights beat the Titans 36-14 to set up a battle for eighth spot with the Dolphins this Sunday in Newcastle.

Routed 40-6 by the Dolphins on Saturday night, Brisbane go into Thursday’s clash against minor premiers Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium in danger of finishing the season 12th in a horror finale for Queensland’s flagship club, who made the grand final last season.

“I put pressure on Adam Reynolds,” Tallis told Triple M’s Sin Bin program in the wake of Brisbane’s dismal Riverfire rout at the hands of the Dolphins.

Tallis has accused Reynolds of abandoning coach Kevin Walters. Picture: NRL Photos

“Kevvie came out and stood up for him (Reynolds).

“Now Kevvie has been under the pump and silence (from Reynolds) … crickets.

“It was just a test (of whether Reynolds had Walters’ back).

“Billy Walters said no to coming on this station and his captain (Reynolds) jumps straight in.

“If one of my players said no to come on to this (radio network), it’s one in, all in. That’s the problem.

“I wouldn’t do it. He (Reynolds) can say no. You can say no.

“You have to be on the same page and you have to be one in, all in.”

Tallis then fingered Reynolds for the start of Brisbane’s problems in pre-season when the skipper was involved in a drunken wrestling altercation with Carrigan on the eve of round 1.

It’s been a tough season for Adam Reynolds between injury struggles and form slumps. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“There was a push in the taxi ranks, there’s all that,” Tallis said.

“Everything has happened.

“If I’m playing in that game (on Saturday night against the Dolphins), I would have felt the pressure.

“It’s the players. And no Broncos player has come out and owned it.”

Reynolds rejected Tallis’ suggestion that the pre-season incident had set a poor tone at the club.

“We still had dramas last year. When you win games no one really talks about it,” Reynolds said.

“As soon as you start losing, everyone wants to point fingers and blame someone. As a team we stick together. We still have one game to go. We will try to go out there and put on a great performance for our members and fans.”

Asked if Walters, who is contracted until the end of 2026, should be sacked Tallis fired:

“That’s rubbish, he was three minutes away from winning a premiership, his job is not under the pump.

“The whole place is and the players are. The players are the ones who own their performance.

“It’s just the players. They need some new faces at training and they need to harden up.

“When you talk to blokes who are super successful and at the great clubs, their highest paid, their captain, their best players are usually their best trainers.

“They have to take some ownership.”

The Broncos won six premierships during a golden 14-year stretch between 1992-2006.

Tallis, a three-time premiership winner, said the previous Broncos generation cared so much they regularly had scuffles at training, but quickly buried the hatchet in pursuit of excellence.

He is not convinced this Broncos group has the same team spirit or hunger.

The Broncos can officially no longer make finals in 2024. Picture: NRL Photos

“I have been at footy clubs, the Broncos have had punch ups,” he said.

“Wayne (Bennett, then Broncos coach) had to put on a fight night. He did. The first time I ever went on a trip away, we were over in Perth and there was a punch up at training. That’s how hard we went.

“You do all that and then we get on the same page.

“All I know is the sides I won with were the tightest group of guys there. It wasn’t talent. In 2000, we won because we were so tight and the team came first and your teammate was the most important in there and nothing that would separate us.

“Until the Broncos get it back … it’s hard work, it’s discipline, it’s friendships. Penrith seem to have it. It’s no miracle. It’s how hard they work and trust each other.

“That’s what happens in great teams. Wayne Bennett always used to say, ‘Winners have parties, losers have meetings’.

“Losers get into their small little groups and start digging at each other and until that stops … the Broncos players have to dig themselves out of it.”