When Adam Reynolds was shot by the hammy sniper at AAMI Park in Round 23, it was initially feared the Broncos captain’s absence would torpedo the club’s finals hopes.
Instead, the Broncos have won four games straight to storm into the NRL top four as genuine premiership contenders.
Significantly, Reynolds’ time out has coincided with Reece Walsh’s best form of the season—and maybe ever—as the dynamic fullback has stepped into the void with aplomb, breaking tackles, setting up tries and scoring them at career-best rates.
At the same time, the forced move to five-eighth has also brought out the very best in the previously interchange-shackled Billy Walters.
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Following the 30-14 victory over the Storm, a win as rare for the Broncos as it was impressive, coach Michael Maguire now has a huge call to make.
What does Madge do with Adam Reynolds?
In any other team, at any other time, it would be a no brainer for your first-choice half back and club captain to be rushed straight back into the number seven jersey.
But will it happen on this critical occasion, as Brisbane enter a high stakes final against the Raiders in Canberra with a home preliminary final suddenly within reach?
Does the first-year Broncos mentor dare risk changing things now?
It’s quite a dilemma, a huge call either way, better Madge than us.