Kevvie: attack on No.7 ‘bull----’
BRONCOS coach Kevin Walters has blasted criticism of Adam Reynolds’ Magic Round behaviour as “bull----” and insists Brisbane’s skipper is not a long-term injury risk following his latest setback.
Brisbane’s $2.4 million recruit has suffered an injury double whammy, missing last week’s 36-12 rout of Newcastle due to groin soreness before a hamstring concern saw Reynolds ruled out of Friday night’s derby against the Titans.
Reynolds has been in brilliant touch over the past six weeks – firing the Broncos into the top six – but his leadership came under the spotlight following revelations he partied at the casino following Brisbane’s 38-0 Magic Round mauling of Manly.
The 31-year-old suffered a groin strain in the Sea Eagles clash and there is a view his alcohol-fuelled night out was a factor in his inability to recover in time to face the Knights six days later.
On Tuesday, Reynolds endured another setback, finishing training early after reporting hamstring tightness, prompting Walters to sideline his skipper for the Titans clash as Brisbane take no risks with its star recruit entering the crucial Origin season.
It was reported Reynolds told Broncos football boss Ben Ikin he wasn’t drinking, only for footage to emerge of the Brisbane skipper imbibing with assistant coach Allan Langer at the Caxton Hotel.
Breaking his silence on the issue, Walters hit out at critics of Reynolds, rubbishing suggestions the Broncos skipper’s Magic Round night out impacted on his rehabilitation at a time of back-to-back injuries.
Walters’ backing of Reynolds comes six weeks after the Broncos coach put Pat Carrigan on notice for drinking alcohol just hours after injuring his knee against the Warriors in round 4.
“We have dealt with that internally,” Walters said of Reynolds’ night out.
“I don’t really want to go too much into it, it’s bull---- in my eyes to be honest.
“His form this year has been outstanding and the boys and the coaching staff have been really impressed with what he has delivered in his time here and the standards he drives.
“We brought Adam here to win games for the Broncos and he is doing exactly that. I can’t be happier with Adam’s contribution to the club so we’re moving on from it.”
Reynolds’ Magic Round saga is hardly the crime of the century but it underlines the searing spotlight on Brisbane’s main man – and why the Broncos need their halfback Ferrari in tip-top condition.
Reynolds has ridden an injury-and-illness rollercoaster at Red Hill. He missed the entire pre-season due to “general soreness”, before being a late scratching for his round 1 blockbuster against former club South Sydney after contracting Covid.
He then strung together nine successive games to inspire Brisbane’s five-match winning streak which has put them in finals contention.