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Johns: The one thing Madge must consider ahead of finals
Nicholas Quinlan • September 5th, 2025 1:29 pm
With the Brisbane Broncos locked and loaded for a top-four berth after their 30-14 win against Melbourne on Thursday, Matty Johns believes that the Red Hill-based side needs to think twice before bringing Adam Reynolds back into the side.
The Broncos’ captain would injure his hamstring during Brisbane’s Round 23 loss against the Storm, with Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo also falling victim to the same injury.
It was initially feared that all three would miss the remainder of the season and derail their premiership chances.
But since their absence, Brisbane have been firing with Ben Hunt and Billy Walters forming an elite halves duo alongside Cory Paix, becoming the starting hooker.
While Mam and Cobbo have been confirmed to miss the remainder of the season, it appears that Reynolds will be available for selection for their qualifying final match, having recovered better than expected.
Ahead of that match, Johns believes that with the recent form of the side, it might be worth keeping the side as is.
“I’m a massive Reno (Adam Reynolds) fan,” Johns prefaced on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.
“But Madge might be looking and saying, ‘Sometimes you lose a player and just that change of formula’.
“He’s got a big decision to make.”
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Co-host Denan Kemp agreed with Johns, noting that there were no guarantees that the Broncos would continue their form should Reynolds return to the starting 13.
“It’s a tough one because Reynolds and Benny Hunt they are very different types of No. 7s,” Kemp explained.
“So, to people who think that they can just put Reno in and keep playing the same, he couldn’t be any different than Ben Hunt.”
While Reynolds' exceptional playmaking ability provides the Broncos with an extra gear and more experience in finals, Johns thinks that Reece Walsh has shown over the last four games is capable of filling that void.
“But here’s the thing, Reno left a power vacuum or a creative vacuum,” Johns added.
“Reece Walsh has filled it.
“From the moment Reynolds has been out, he has suddenly elevated his performance.”
The Broncos, following Thursday’s win, now know their opponent and venue for their qualifying final in the Canberra Raiders and GIO Stadium.
They will have to wait until the conclusion of the round to find out what time they will play.
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