Big three: Adam Reynolds takes us inside the Broncos and how Walsh and Mam have taken his game to the next level

The Storm’s ‘big three’ brought the club incredible success. Now the Broncos are building on a trio that has the talent to do the same.

Broncos players Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh on the beach at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast where the Broncos will play two trial matches in 2023. Picture Lachie Millard

Melbourne had their ‘big three’ of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater which turned the Storm into a premiership juggernaut.

Now the Broncos have found their own Big Three, with veteran skipper Adam Reynolds revealing how the “magic” of Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh is keeping him young in Brisbane’s quest to smash a 17-year title drought.

Reynolds, Walsh and Mam have forged an attacking partnership that wins premierships, with the trio combining superbly to pulverise Parramatta in Brisbane’s 54-10 rout at the Gabba on Friday night.

Just turned 33, Reynolds has turned back the clock, evoking images of the halfback who piloted Souths to the 2014 premiership, and the captain attributed his form to the youthful energy of Mam, 20, and the 21-year-old Walsh.

“They are both young and enthusiastic. It keeps me young out there, too,” Reynolds said of his partnership with five-eighth Mam and fullback Walsh.

“Whatever I ask him (Mam) to do he does it. I try and get him the ball in open space. We all know what a talent he is.

“Ezra and Reece are quite similar. They see the game in a different way to most.

“It is my job to create a bit of space for them and watch them do their magic. It is something I can’t do. I wish I could. I love it.

“They want to learn and get better and I can pass a bit of knowledge onto them and help them get better.”

Big three: Ezra Mam, Reynolds and Reece Walsh are thriving together at the Broncos. Picture: Lachie Millard

The brilliant triumvirate of Smith, Slater and Cronk drove the Storm to nine grand-final appearances in 14 years and in Reynolds, Walsh and Mam, the Broncos possess a bona fide premiership playmaking strike force.

Underlining Walsh’s quest for excellence, the Broncos fullback was not satisfied with his electric display against the Eels.

The Maroons dynamo ripped Parramatta apart with 109 metres, six tackle busts, two line breaks, a try assist and the final four-pointer to seal a nine-try cakewalk, but Walsh was more concerned with his five errors.

That sums up the ruthless attitude of a Brisbane side desperate to snap its premiership drought.

Reynolds helped break South Sydney’s 43-year title drought playing alongside fullback superstar Greg Inglis and the Broncos skipper says Walsh has a similar hunger for success.

“They are two very different players, Greg and Reece, with size difference and attributes, but he (Walsh) has got it all,” he said.

Reynolds says Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh are keeping him young. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It is my job on the field to keep him calm and composed and cut those errors out.

“If we can get him down to one error a game or none that would be terrific.

“You’ve seen what he can do. Five line break assists is special when he has got the ball.

“It is just about minimising the errors in his game. He is still learning his trade and competing on every play.

“It is my job and the coach’s job to try and help him get that out of his game.”

While Reynolds, Mam and Walsh are superbly pulling the strings, the other member of Brisbane’s playmaking spine, hooker Billy Walters, has been the club’s success story of 2023.

The maligned Walters has played every game so far this season and produced arguably the finest performance of his career with a two-try effort against the Eels, including a brilliant solo try showcasing two lethal left-foot steps.

“Billy has improved since arriving at the club,” coach Walters said of his son.

“This year was his first pre-season in the No.9.

“He has got better every week and we are very fortunate that we have great depth with Tyson (Smoothy) and Cory Paix can’t even get a jersey at the moment.

“We are blessed in that position.

“Billy is doing a really good job for us and getting better every week.

“I think his defence has gone up a notch or two as well, he is a bit of a target in there but he seems to be handling that well.”