Broncos NRL post-mortem: Kevin Walters commits to Adam Reynolds captaining club in 2025
As the Broncos hierarchy delve into their NRL side’s failed season, coach Kevin Walters has already made the decision to retain veteran Adam Reynolds as captain for 2025.
Strife-torn Brisbane’s internal review will not trigger the sacking of Adam Reynolds as skipper with the champion halfback to retain the captaincy for the Broncos’ revenge mission next season.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has slammed suggestions Reynolds should be dumped as captain in the wake of Brisbane’s horror 2024 campaign.
Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy and coach Walters will launch a wide-ranging review of football operations this week in the wake of the Broncos’ stunning collapse from grand finalists to 12th-placed also-rans.
Donaghy has promised to drill down into every area of the club, encompassing the club’s recruitment, salary cap and list management, high-performance program and players’ relationship with Walters.
Reynolds will be a pivotal figure in high-level discussions.
The 287-game legend is Brisbane’s most senior player and a regular sounding board for Walters, who has hailed Reynolds’ influence in rebuilding the Broncos after his arrival in 2022.
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has been a savage critic of Reynolds, calling for the premiership No.7 to be axed as captain in favour deputy Pat Carrigan to lead a Brisbane revival in 2025.
Despite being close mates, Walters won’t be taking the advice of the ‘Raging Bull’, rubbishing suggestions Reynolds could be a casualty of Brisbane’s fourth finals fade out in five years.
“He will be our captain next year, 100 per cent,” Walters said.
“We love Adam here, we love him as our captain.
“We’ve had several conversations, Adam and myself. Again, it’s outside noise and we’ve got to listen to the noise from the inside.
“That’s what matters most, more than anything that’s happened on the outside.”
Reynolds has been a revelation for the Broncos since inking a three-year, $2.4 million deal from South Sydney.
While he has had his injury battles, Reynolds has amassed 56 matches for the Broncos and is just 13 fixtures away from reaching the NRL’s elite 300-game club.
Such was Reynolds’ imperious form in steering Brisbane to last year’s grand final, it convinced Broncos hierarchy to hand the former NSW Origin playmaker a 12-month extension for 2025.
But with Reynolds turning 35 next July, there are concerns as to whether his pint-sized frame can withstand the rigours of his 14th season, especially after a serious bicep tear in his left arm this year.
There is a view that the Broncos should consider passing the captaincy baton to Carrigan now to give him 12 months of learning before Reynolds’ touted retirement at the end of 2025.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten implemented that plan this season, installing Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter as co-captains to be mentored by former skippers Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend.
But Walters says not only will Reynolds continue to lead Brisbane out next season, he will also engineer a Broncos finals fightback after the club’s dismal 12th-placed finish.
“It hasn’t been fair,” he said of the Reynolds criticism.
“I still remember the day that Dave (Donaghy) and I flew to Sydney to sign Adam and we’re grateful to get his signature.
“It’s been great for us.
“We got to the grand final last year on the back of Adam’s work as a leader.
“He’s missed a lot of games this year for us and that hurts him as well with his preparation and his leadership.
“When your captain’s only got 12 games on the field that makes it tough for everyone and particularly for Adam himself.
“We know what he brings to our club. He’s a great player, a great leader and we’re really happy we’ve got him here and for next year as well.”
Reynolds is one of Brisbane’s most vocal players in team meetings and drives Brisbane’s weekly tactical game plans. Donaghy lauded his importance to the Broncos.
“Like all of us, Adam will be disappointed with the year,” Donaghy said.
“A lot of that was taken out of his control through a contact injury
“His bicep injury was just one of those injuries that can happen in a collision sport.
“Since Adam’s been here, he’s brought a real locker room presence and a lot of leadership to the group and to the club.”
Reynolds said last month he wanted to retain the Broncos captaincy unless Walters sacked him.
“I have been bagged and pushed down my whole career. I understand the pressure that comes with it (the captaincy),” he said.
“But one of the greatest coaches in my career, Wayne Bennett, told me if you listen to the spectators, you end up sitting with them.
“It’s great advice.
“I’m not ready to sit in the stands yet. I still believe I am the right man for the job and until ‘Kevvie’ or anyone else says otherwise, I will do it (captain the Broncos).”
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