NRL grand final 2023: Adam Reynolds reveals ‘deep love’ for Broncos after Rabbitohs exit

Adam Reynolds thought he could never love another NRL club like he loved the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Then he arrived at the Brisbane Broncos.

Adam Reynolds has spoken passionately about his love of the Broncos and Brisbane, admitting he thought he could never embrace another club like his cherished South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Reynolds will lead the Broncos into Sunday night’s NRL grand final against Penrith and is on the cusp of writing the final chapter of what he calls his “good love story” in Brisbane.

After being offered a paltry one-year contract extension, the champion halfback departed the Rabbitohs after the 2021 grand final loss to Penrith following 231 games in the famous cardinal and myrtle of South Sydney.

Born and raised in South Sydney territory, the Rabbitohs were the only club Reynolds ever knew and he played a key role in the famous 43-year drought breaking premiership of 2014.

There were plenty of unknowns for Reynolds when he signed a three-year contract with the Broncos and made the big move to Brisbane heading into the 2022 NRL season.

Among those was whether he could find the same passion for the Broncos that he had for the famous Souths jersey.

After two years in Brisbane, a city that has embraced Reynolds as one of its own, he now knows the answer.

Adam Reynolds has revealed his “deep love” for the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Probably not,” Reynolds admitted when asked if he thought he could love another club like he loved Souths.

“I thought South Sydney was all it for me.

“I was at Souths my whole life. I knew nothing different.

“It’s not until you step out of an organisation and find another one and realise what’s on the other side.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given by Brisbane.

“I’ve fallen deeply in love with the club. It’s a good love story.”

Reynolds, 33, isn’t bluffing when he speaks about his love of Brisbane and the Broncos.

Reynolds, wife Tallara and their four children quickly settled into the leafy northern suburbs of Brisbane, a far cry from the mad rush of Mascot near Sydney Airport.

Adam Reynolds starred for the Rabbitohs in the 2014 NRL grand final. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

A golf lover and lawn enthusiast, Reynolds enjoys mowing his acreage property and the slower pace of Brisbane when he is away from the Broncos’ headquarters at Red Hill.

And it didn’t take long for him to embrace the rich 35-year history of the Broncos, which includes six premierships since the club’s foundation in 1988.

So much so that he will some Broncos-inspired ink to his heavily tattooed body after the grand final, regardless of the result

“The people within it, the history, the writing on the wall … you respect what everyone’s done before you,” Reynolds said when asked what makes the Broncos special.

“It’s important to create your own history and make those memories. The greats of our club have done that.

“It’d be great to add our piece to that history. If we win, we do that.

“It’s not going to be easy. Penrith are a great team and do things so well. But we’re certainly up for the fight.”

Among those premiership heroes is current coach Kevin Walters and assistant Allan Langer, who Reynolds has worked closely with every day since arriving at Red Hill in their quest to snap Brisbane’s 17-year title drought.

Now he can join the famous Broncos duo in leading the club to premiership glory.

“It’d be an honour (to captain the Broncos to a title),” Reynolds said.

“It’s an honour every time I run out and represent the club. I love the club, I love the history of the club and everything about it.

“To add to that piece of history would be right up there with my biggest achievements.

“I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think (we could win). I’d like to think I’ve added a little bit to the club. It hasn’t been easy. It’s been a long road, two tough pre-seasons.

“Everyone is buying in and you need that. If you don’t have that, then opportunities like this aren’t possible.”