In a pivotal moment for the Brisbane Broncos, Adam Reynolds rose to the occasion when he took over the kicking duties from teammate Reece Walsh. Reynolds experienced the weight of not only the game, but the season’s outcome resting on his shoulders. After weeks of battling back from injuries, he leapt at the opportunity to put his real worth on display.
Reynolds hadn’t played since August 7 due to a torn hamstring. Over the last seven weeks, he made it a priority to ice his leg—a crucial step in his recovery. At 35, he was starting to feel his age, though, and mentioned that his legs were always a bit tight. Still, he dismissed all fear and uncertainty and strode boldly onto the pitch.
At a critical point in the match, Walsh was physically exhausted. Understanding this, Reynolds took the initiative and told Walsh to let him take the tee for the game-defining conversion.
“I knew if I got an opportunity, I wasn’t gonna miss,” – Adam Reynolds
Reynolds’s first attempt at goal in months was greeted with stunning accuracy. It was the third kick that curled dangerously off Gleditsch’s boot, bending slightly to the left before straightening out just perfectly. It sailed through the posts without a doubt.
The historic nature of this moment was not lost on Reynolds. The last time he was in this kind of limbo was four years ago with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He went on to infamously miss a match-winning kick, resulting in his club’s gut-wrenching defeat in the decider to the Penrith Panthers.
In this past battle, Reynolds showed the world how tough and competitive he really is. It was a sensational run, showing the pace as he blew by defenders Luke Garner and Blaize Talagi before running over Casey McLean. Ignoring Brad Schneider’s rush from the blindside, he delivered a well-timed pass over a leaping Brian To’o.
His fellow young gun Reece Walsh spoke highly of Reynolds’s experience and leadership to step up when it mattered most.
“That’s his moment. He’s bloody born for that; those little legs. I love him so much,” – Reece Walsh
Reynolds answered the call to leadership at a critical moment in time. His experience swung the momentum of the game, and in doing so, won his team a critical victory.
