Tag: Adam Reynolds

Madge Maguire Confirms Adam Reynolds as Brisbane Broncos Captain

Photo Credit: Broncos.com.au

Adam Reynolds will continue as the captain of the Brisbane Broncos for the 2025 NRL season, solidifying his leadership in what is anticipated to be his final year on the field.

Read: Signs of Hope Amid Pre-season Concerns: Maguire’s Vision Takes Shape for the Brisbane Broncos

Leadership Announcement

The decision was confirmed on Thursday, 23 January 2025, at the Red Hill headquarters by newly appointed coach Michael “Madge” Maguire. This marks Mr Maguire’s first major call since stepping into the role, following the team’s disappointing 12th-place finish last season. 

Mr Maguire, who shares a long-standing relationship with Mr Reynolds from their 2014 premiership win with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, expressed full confidence in his captaincy.

Mr Maguire stated that Mr Reynolds has proven his ability to lead the team, both on and off the field. He emphasised the importance of teamwork, highlighting the formation of a revamped leadership group that includes Dragons recruit Ben Hunt alongside Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas, and Kotoni Staggs.

Brisbane Broncos Roundup The Michael Maguire Era Dawns at Red Hill
Photo Credit: Broncos.com.au

Focus on Team Unity

Mr Maguire revealed that he spent months evaluating the squad’s dynamics before making this decision. He sees Mr Reynolds as a crucial figure in driving the Brisbane Broncos forward. Mr Maguire stressed that every player, from the youngest to the most experienced, has a role in leading through actions and behaviours, emphasising the need for a club-wide leadership mindset.

Mr Reynolds, 34, said he was honoured to retain the captaincy and excited to work with the strengthened leadership group. He acknowledged that Mr Hunt’s inclusion would provide significant value, given his extensive experience at both club and representative levels. Mr Reynolds noted that having Mr Hunt on board added immense value to the team.

Final Season and Legacy

Mr Reynolds’ journey with the Broncos began in 2022 after transferring from the Rabbitohs. Reflecting on his career, he expressed that playing under Mr Maguire again feels like a full-circle moment.

As he prepares for his final season, Mr Reynolds remains focused on supporting his teammates and ensuring the Broncos deliver a competitive performance. He explained that being captain isn’t just about the title but about guiding his teammates and sharing the mental load of the game.

The Brisbane Broncos are looking to turn the page on last year’s struggles and reignite community pride.

Read: Broncos Star Ezra Mam Reflects on Costly Mistake

With Mr Reynolds’ leadership, Mr Maguire’s strategic vision, and the collective efforts of the leadership group, the team aims to restore its standing as a formidable force in the NRL. Both urged fans to rally behind the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Published 23-January-2025

Brisbane Broncos Roundup: Cultural Reset, Mam Accident, and Key Figures in Transition

As the dust settles on Kevin Walters’ departure, Michael Maguire’s previous connections and clear vision for success are already influencing key decisions at Red Hill, where a cultural reset is brewing for the Brisbane Broncos.

Read: Brisbane Broncos Roundup: Broncos at the Crossroads

Cultural reset takes centre stage

Michael Maguire has wasted no time addressing speculation about the club’s culture, acknowledging but diplomatically handling claims about ‘rockstars’ in the Brisbane Broncos dressing room. “You hear all the noise, at the end of the day, until I meet someone, that’s when I’ll judge them,” Maguire stated on SEN Radio. “There are certain things I know we need to do as a group to see success.”

The new coach’s philosophy is clear: success comes through dedication. “I have only ever seen success come when players want to work hard. And that is what I will be asking of the players,” Maguire emphasised. “It comes with sacrifice…the harder you work, the more things come into your life.”

Club CEO Dave Donaghy has openly acknowledged the need for change. “I’m not going to shy away from the fact I do believe we’ve got some cultural challenges,” Donaghy said on 4BC’s breakfast radio show. “And that’s an area that we’re going to invest in and be really stronger.”

Mam situation creates potential Hunt homecoming

In a significant development that could reshape the Broncos’ playmaking options, young five-eighth Ezra Mam’s future is uncertain after testing positive during a roadside drug test following a car accident. CCTV footage has revealed Mam veered onto the wrong side of the road before colliding head-on with another vehicle, with Queensland Police alleging he was driving unlicensed at the time of the crash, the AAP reports.

The incident, which occurred around Friday, 5:20 p.m. on Simpsons Road in Bardon, resulted in Mam and the occupants of the other vehicle—an Uber driver and passengers in a Toyota Camry—being hospitalised, though all were reported to be in stable condition.

Following the accident, Mam has since voluntarily entered professional treatment, and a police investigation is now underway, reports the Courier Mail.

The situation could have far-reaching implications for the club’s roster management. With Mam’s $4 million contract under review, veteran commentator Andrew Voss suggests this could pave the way for Hunt’s return. “If Ezra Mam is sacked, and he’s on $800,000 a year, the Broncos will then have money to spend,” Voss noted on his SEN breakfast show.

The Dragons have granted Hunt permission to explore options with rival clubs despite his contract running until 2025, with the Queensland veteran’s desire to finish his career in his home state well-documented.

Reynolds, Walsh central to Brisbane Broncos transition

Amid the changes, Adam Reynolds is set to maintain his captaincy role, with Maguire expressing full confidence in his former premiership-winning halfback. “I don’t have any reason [to replace Reynolds as captain],” Maguire confirmed with SEN. “He is a winner. He’s taken that team to some pretty good places already, so as long as he’s fit and healthy and he is right, he is a great leader.”

Reynolds, who sits just 13 games shy of the prestigious 300-game milestone, has embraced the leadership responsibility. “I’d love to do the job next year, 100 percent,” Reynolds stated, while maintaining his focus on the team’s success above individual accolades. The veteran playmaker’s presence will be crucial as the Broncos navigate this period of significant change.

Read: NOIR Paddington Begins Exciting New Chapter

Star fullback Reece Walsh has emerged as another key figure in the Broncos cultural direction, backed by Queensland coach Billy Slater, who is challenging some of the misconceptions surrounding the young player. “He’s got a great work ethic,” Slater emphasised on Channel Nine. “He’s a very respectful young man—he has got a perception out there that he’s a bit of a larrikin and likes the limelight, but he works really hard and he loves the game of footy.”

The Courier Mail also reports that Michael Maguire, as New Zealand’s former coach, had previously tried to recruit Walsh for the Kiwis. “I knew he had New Zealand heritage, so I reached out, but Reece has a strong passion for Queensland and undoubtedly wants to play for Australia one day,” Maguire shared.

Published 21-October-2024