NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters believes the club is close to re-signing Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds

The Broncos have confronted a poaching raid from the Dolphins for boom five-eighth Ezra Mam following his grand final hat-trick heroics, but coach Kevin Walters believes Brisbane is on the cusp of winning the battle for his signature.

Kevin Walters believes the Broncos are close to retaining boom five-eighth Ezra Mam amid a poaching raid from the Dolphins as Adam Reynolds revealed the dramatic weight loss regime he embraced to snap Brisbane’s 18-year title drought.

Broncos playmakers Mam and Reynolds, both off-contract at the end of 2024, are in the advanced stages of negotiations to extend their tenures at Red Hill.

Mam is eyeing a multimillion-dollar upgrade following his grand final hat-trick while Reynolds will ink a one-year extension to finish his career in Brisbane colours in 2025.

While Reynolds’ extension is considered a fait accompli and no rush to complete, the Broncos have faced competition to retain Mam following his grand final hat-trick heroics.

After poaching Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth, the Dolphins have targeted Mam and are willing to splash cash to lure the rising No. 6 to Redcliffe.

However Walters is supremely confident of re-signing the Indigenous phenom, with the Broncos hoping to have the deal sealed before Christmas.

“I believe so, he is a big part of our future and we’d love him to stay,” Walters said when asked if a deal for Mam was close.

The Mam-Reynolds bromance is set to continue in 2025. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I’m sure there’ll be a lot of clubs (targeting him). We’re in the process of negotiating with him and his manager and we believe it’s going to work out okay.

“He has had a good rest and is back training. He’s looking forward to another strong season for us.

“He’s a little bit heavier which is good. He’s put on a bit of bulk and carrying it well.

“He showed his skills in the last month of football for someone so young. The future is really bright for Ezra and the Broncos.”

While Mam has bulked up in the off-season, Reynolds has done the opposite.

The pint-sized skipper has shed 5kg from his frame in a bid to keep up with the increasingly fast-paced NRL in his twilight years.

Reynolds, 33, wouldn’t give away his exact weight, but he was last season listed at 85kg, which would put him around the 80kg mark if correct.

Embarking on his 13th NRL season, Reynolds said he pounded the pavement during his holidays to ensure he could hit the ground running when he reported for pre-season training this week.

“I’ve already done it (lost 5kg), I just think it is easier at the back end of your career to play a bit lighter and get around the field a bit easier,” he said.

“You talk to past players and they say they found it easier being lighter at the back end of their careers. I thought I’d give it a crack and change up my body type.

“(I did) a lot of running … old school road runs, treadmill runs and been a bit cleaner with the diet. Not too much has changed. I didn’t do any weights in the off-season which probably strips a bit of weight too.

“Not much will change with the way I play. I have got some exciting players outside me like (Reece) Walsh, Ezra and our centres and wingers are fast.”

A veteran of 274 NRL games, Reynolds was particularly shattered after Brisbane surrendered a 24-8 lead to Penrith in the dying stages of the grand final to lose 26-24.

The halfback copped criticism after failing to guide Brisbane to victory but is confident he isn’t a spent force in the NRL.

Reynolds wants to atone for Brisbane’s grand final loss. Picture: Adam Head

“I still feel like I have more to give,” he said.

“My body is feeling good and I feel like I am playing good enough football to go around again.

“I am enjoying the club and I love being around the boys. I am focused on getting into training, getting around the boys and that (contract) will work itself out.

“Every year you are trying to achieve the same goal. It is pretty simple. You turn up to training and work hard and try and get better as a team and an individual.

“If you do that you put yourself in a good position to do something great.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters believes the club is close to re-signing Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds