Half-price halfback: Darren Lockyer-style contract could be only way to keep Adam Reynolds in Brisbane

A contract formula which enabled Darren Lockyer to stay a Bronco for life may yet solve the Adam Reynolds riddle as Brisbane mulls over the veteran’s short and long term future.

A contract formula which enabled Darren Lockyer to stay a Bronco for life may yet solve the Adam Reynolds riddle as Brisbane mulls over the veteran’s short and long term future.

Reynolds has been cleared of hamstring damage after leaving the field in the Broncos win over the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium but the decision to play him against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Friday is more complex than it appears.

Reynolds said he could still feel pain in his hamstring when he touched it the day after the game and coach Michael Maguire may be reluctant to throw Reynolds back into the furnace if there is any risk of further damage.

What is clear is that the management of Reynolds’ 34-year-old body will be one of the key factors in whether the Broncos break their 19-year premiership drought this season.

With Ezra Mam returning from a ban soon and Ben Hunt another playmaking option, Brisbane have the chance to make sure Reynolds is cherry ripe for the matches that matter.

Adam Reynolds may have to slash his contract in half. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Reynolds’ future with the club beyond this season remains a mystery after he announced his intention to play on but conceded Brisbane’s tight salary cap restraints could force him out of the club.

If he does stay it is likely to be a similar situation to Darren Lockyer who took a 50 per cent pay cut for his final two-year contract to stay in Brisbane.

The salary cap auditors accepted Lockyer playing for a fee well under market value because they could see the sense and dignity in one of the game’s greatest players finishing his career as a one-club player.

Salary cap laws have become more restrictive since Lockyer retired in 2011 but if Brisbane cut Reynolds’ wage by the same percentage as Lockyer, the $300,000 deal would be likely to get through the auditors given Reynolds is near the end of his career.

Its relatively small size would also help Brisbane keep players like Selwyn Cobbo who is competing for the same spare and precious dollars as Reynolds.

Reynolds could earn more playing in England - where he has already had offers - than playing in Brisbane next season but the disruption of uprooting his four children from their spacious Brisbane surrounds may not be worth the pay increase.

Darren Lockyer played his 355 career first grade games with the Broncos.

If Reynolds is not chosen for the Roosters game the Broncos have several options including playing Billy Walters at halfback with Ben Hunt moving to five-eighth or even having Hunt play halfback.

Powerful backrower Brendan Piakura has accepted a two match suspension high tackle with former Dragons back-rower Jaiyden Hunt a chance of replacing him.

Originally published as Half-price halfback: Darren Lockyer-style contract could be only way to keep Adam Reynolds in Brisbane