Adam Reynolds’ 24-hours from hell prior to Suncorp stunner
Brisbane star Adam Reynolds has opened up on how he pushed through a hellish day to produce a match winning performance - and revealed his questionable status for next week’s Magic Round clash.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds almost collapsed on the eve of the Bulldogs clash after being rocked by a staph infection that has him in doubt for next Sunday’s Magic Round clash with Penrith.
Reynolds has opened up about his 24 hours from hell, with the skipper showing incredible toughness to produce a man-of-the-match performance in Brisbane’s 42-18 belting of the Bulldogs on Thursday night.
Reynolds came off in the 75th minute with a shoulder injury, but the champion playmaker was just lucky to play after suffering a shock infection breakout on the eve of the Bulldogs Anzac clash.
While teammate Jordan Riki withdrew with a similar infection, Reynolds chose to soldier on, even though he suffered fevers and felt like vomiting after an ingrown hair in his leg triggered a pre-match infection.
“I woke up feeling terrible,” he said.
“There was a period during the day when I was umming and ahhing (about pulling out).
“I was a bit tired (on Thursday) but you have got to do what you have got to do, just get out there. Jordan Riki went through it last week and he was pretty bad, too.
“He spent two or three days in hospital and only just got back to Brisbane (after their trip to play the Warriors in New Zealand) so it can be bad.
“Lucky I got it early and I am on top of it with the doctors.”
Reynolds completed the captain’s run without a problem and was feeling fine until he removed an ingrown hair from his leg on Wednesday night.
This is as good of a display from any halfback, in any era, at any level of rugby league. It's bloody hard to play the position as well as Adam Reynolds is it tonight #NRLBroncosBulldogs
— Harry Ramage (@harryramage) April 24, 2025
ADAM REYNOLDS IS THE BEST HALFBACK IN THE COMP
— 🌟 (@JBroncosEra) April 24, 2025
This Adam Reynolds performance is out of this world. #NRLBroncosBulldogs
— The Cumberland Throw (@EelsTCT) April 24, 2025
Masterclass from Adam Reynolds in stunning first half of #NRLBroncosBulldogs. Still one of the game’s premier playmakers and the No.1 goalkicker.
— Arthur Stanley (@Art_Stanley_) April 24, 2025
When the 34-year-old got out of bed on game day, it was a different story.
“I got in the shower and I was a bit light headed. It hit me hard,” he said.
“I had cold sweats all day. Any time I got hot I would start sweating and then I’d try and cool down and be freezing.
“As soon as I got in (to the club), the docs looked after me and got me some nausea tablets.
“I didn’t eat or drink all day.
“I got some fluids down when I got to the ground and got on with it.
“It (the staph infection) is on my leg.
“I got across to the doctors pretty early and got some antibiotics into me and tried to have a sleep but that was no good. I was sweating on and off all day.
“It’s not ideal but I have been under worse circumstances and played.
“I had a lot of good help around me today which was great. It made my job a lot easier.
“It’s those moments you want to push through and do your best for the team.”
The chaotic build-up underscored Reynolds’ incredible commitment to the Broncos jumper, with the premiership playmaker overcoming the infection and his shoulder complaint to produce one of the greatest games of his career.
In his 295th NRL game, Reynolds scored a try and set up three others in a supreme exhibition of wet-weather execution.
But the challenge now is backing up to face 2023 grand-final nemesis Penrith.
Reynolds is keen to take on Penrith maestro Nathan Cleary, but the next week of rehabilitation on his shoulder will determine if he gets the green light to face the four-time premiers.
“It’s not an AC (joint injury),” Reynolds said.
“I felt something at the back but it went away after a couple of minutes.
“The second time (when he left the field in the 75th minute) it was pretty bad.
“It went numb and burned and there were tingles down the arms, so it is not ideal.
“I’ll check it out with the doctors and go from there.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Adam Reynolds’ 24-hours from hell prior to Suncorp stunner
NRL shames Bunker with massive ban
The NRL match review committee has decimated the Bulldogs with three players wiped out in a move that has embarrassed the Bunker.
Huge bans for Bulldog after brutal blow
Back-rower Sitili Tupouniua was one of three players sin-binned in Thursday night’s loss to the Broncos and now he faces a massive suspension for two incidents.