Robert Craddock: Signing Adam Reynolds as a coach is more important than extending him as a player

A subtle piece of magic against Wests Tigers provided a strong message to the Broncos about the non-player contract they should offer Adam Reynolds, ROBERT CRADDOCK writes.

Adam Reynolds’ mesmerising highlight against Wests Tigers showed why signing him as a coach is more important than squeezing another winter out of him as a player.

Reynolds chip and chase try against the Tigers looked like a head-ups, roll of the dice but he revealed later he had studied footage of West Tigers young fullback Jahream Bula in a bid to find chinks in his defensive armour.

The deft chip looked deliberately placed well short of Bula who, sensing he was about to be caught off-guard, rushed up and was hopelessly compromised by the time Reynolds jinked around him.

Very much the thinking man’s footballer, Reynolds may squeeze one more year out himself but no-one beats Father Time who is quietly whispering in his ear.

Given how well he played against the Tigers it would be easy to pound the pulpit and declare the Broncos must find the cash in their ever-tightening salary cap to keep him on.

Adam Reynolds’ is a coach in-waiting. Picture: NRL Images

But, if Brisbane can fight off offers from other clubs, where Reynolds can really make a difference in the next few years is staying on as an assistant coach to mentor the next Adam Reynolds.

That may be Coby Black. It could be someone we haven’t even heard about. The Broncos have had trouble finding or producing halfbacks since Allan Langer retired two decades ago.

They need help. Few players in the game are as suited to coaching as Reynolds. He has that rugby league nuffy side of him which watches everything yet he is no nerd and enjoys the fun side of the game.

The qualities should blend nicely for him in the coach’s box.

THE SLEDGEHAMMER

Broncos back-rower Brendan Piakura is the type of player who would use a sledgehammer to swat a fly.

There’s been a push on over the past year for him to become a State of Origin enforcer but he makes so many heavy handed errors coach Billy Slater must be worried about picking him because Origin games so often hinge on errors as much as brilliance.

Piakura has been suspended for two games for his clumsy high shot on Terrell May in the Broncos win over Wests Tigers. Even had there been no crackdown on high shots – which there was – he probably still would have gone.

According to Michael Ennis, one player who has caught Slater’s eye is Gold Coast utility Beau Fermor who can play backrow and centre and has been playing solidly for the Titans.

Brendan Piakura is sent to the bin. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

ACTION JAXON

North Queensland teenager Jaxon Purdue used to have a photo of Jason Taumalolo on his phone - now he gets to play with him.

The Cowboys are rightfully excited about the potential of the 19-year-old centre who was best known as a halfback when he was surging through the grades as a youngster in Mackay.

Purdue showed exceptional pace and anticipation against the Panthers to feature in our team of the week and shapes as a long-term drawcard for the club he grew up supporting.

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

Mal Meninga reckons it will be “impossible’’ for rugby league to eliminate head contact from the game.

Speaking on Fox Sports, Meninga says the only way you could do it would be if you made it mandatory to tackle around the legs “and then you have a different game.’’

Kangaroo coach Meninga is one of a large group of experts bewildered by the sudden crackdown. Billy Slater said on Channel 9 he feels for referees forced to be “match review officials on the run.’’

Originally published as Robert Craddock: Signing Adam Reynolds as a coach is more important than extending him as a player