NRL 2025 pre-season training camps: Adam Reynolds returns to Broncos; pictures Dolphins fans have been waiting for

Two masterminds of South Sydney’s 2014 premiership triumph officially reunite in Brisbane, while a Dolphins captaincy bolter returns to training after missing the entire 2024 season. See the pictures.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has declared he is primed to reunite with Adam Reynolds as the dynamic duo look to parlay their premiership success at South Sydney to the Broncos.

Reynolds’ American vacation is over with the champion Broncos skipper to officially launch his 2025 pre-season at Brisbane training on Thursday.

Maguire’s Red Hill revival kicked off a fortnight ago and he has cherished memories of his time with Reynolds a decade ago in the stunning rebuild of the struggling Rabbitohs.

Maguire and Reynolds were the coach-halfback alliance that delivered a title at Souths in 2014 - breaking a 43-year premiership drought - and the new Broncos mentor is ready to go back to the future to win Brisbane’s premiership since 2006.

“It would be amazing to do at the Broncos what we did at Souths,” Maguire said of his title-winning union with Reynolds.

“We are definitely aware of the opportunities we have and that’s the goal here.

“I’m looking forward to having Reyno back on deck.

“I had a good chat with him (on Tuesday) and he is looking forward to getting back in among the guys.

Captain Adam Reynolds returns to pre-season on Thursday. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Reyno is at the other end of his career now, so every day counts and every opportunity counts for him.

“He is in that frame of mind as well which is great.”

Reynolds endured a nightmare 2024 campaign, with the Broncos skipper managing just 13 appearances after an injury-ravaged season, headlined by a torn bicep which sidelined him for 10 weeks.

It was the lowest seasonal output ever by Reynolds, who has played 20 or more matches in 10 of his 13 NRL campaigns, underlining his toughness and durability.

At 34, Reynolds enters the 2025 season off-contract and is tipped to retire at the end of next year, giving the 287-game playmaker one final winter to claim his second premiership ring.

Reynolds was the architect of South Sydney’s 30-6 thumping of Canterbury in the 2014 decider and Maguire says he desperately needs a fit and firing ‘Reyno’ to break Brisbane’s 19-year title drought.

“I have enormous respect for Adam,” Maguire said.

“He just loves playing - he is a very smart player.

“Even now, he has so much maturity and knowledge of the game.

“I last coached Reyno 10 years ago when he was at the beginning of his career and he was a sharp little player even then, but he has so much experience now.

“He can play a really tough style when he needs to, so it will be good to be back on the field with him.

“He will be such a valuable asset for me on the field, he has had a massive influence on the club and there’s no reason it can’t continue next season.

“Reyno is aware of his leadership role and his importance to this club.”

Brisbane Broncos players feel the full extend of a Michael Maguire pre-season torture session. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Reynolds, who skippered Brisbane in their 2023 grand final loss to Penrith, says his body can get through another punishing NRL season in 2025 and is determined to prove his critics wrong.

“I’m as hungry as ever,” he said.

“I think it’s more mentally you’ve got to get yourself right rather than the body.

“If you’re mentally strong enough the body will follow and that’s one thing that ‘Madge’ (Maguire) is very big on.

“Anytime your coach gets sacked or let go you want to bounce back.

“It’s never a good feeling when that happens ... as players you feel like that’s part of your responsibility because you didn’t get the job done.

“Of course there’s a bounce-back factor there and I’m hungry as ever to succeed.”

DOLPHINS: CAPTAINCY BOLTER RETURNS EARLY

Maroons forward Tom Gilbert has bolted to the top of the Dolphins’ captaincy contenders after making an early return to pre-season training.

Gilbert was leading the pack at Redcliffe on Wednesday as new coach Kristian Woolf ran his eye over the first instalment of Dolphins players to report to the club.

Fresh off leading Tonga to a nailbiting Pacific Championships defeat to Australia on Sunday, Woolf has wasted no time getting back to the Dolphins ahead of his first season as an NRL head coach.

While replacing Wayne Bennett is a big task in itself, Woolf must also decide who should lead the Dolphins following the retirement of foundation captain Jesse Bromwich.

The Dolphins have some experienced heads like Mark Nicholls and Felise Kaufusi in the mix as well as emerging leaders Isaiya Katoa and Max Plath.

But Gilbert is the standout candidate.

At 24, the Queensland forward oozes leadership qualities and is one of the most respected players at Redcliffe.

However he hasn’t played an NRL game since round 12 of the 2023 season due to back-to-back shoulder and knee injuries.

There is a view Woolf could resist handing Gilbert the captaincy ahead of his comeback season to allow him to focus purely on playing.

Regardless, the sight of Gilbert barking orders at his teammates on day one showed how big an influence he will have as the Dolphins chase a maiden NRL finals appearance in 2025.

“Physically he looks good and I am sure the medical staff are happy with how he is tracking,” said new Dolphins assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn.

“You can see his leadership ability by the way he talks with the group. He is really well respected.

Dolphins hitman Tom Gilbert returns to training after missing the entire 2024 season. Picture: Dolphins

“It says he is invested and hungry for success, not only with his rehab and getting back on the field but also he wants the best for this group and club.

“He is leading on the field and with his actions.”

While Gilbert is looking strong, doubt remains over the future of fellow Queensland forward Tom Flegler.

Flegler is anxiously awaiting the outcome of shoulder nerve surgery and is in limbo.

He was spotted around Redcliffe on Wednesday but is not able to complete contact training.

“The reports I am hearing, everything is going well,” Kostjasyn said of Flegler.

“I don’t think there is a time frame set in stone (on his return). I can imagine he is champing at the bit.

“It is a boost for everyone to see him in the training kit and around the group.”