NRL 2023: Broncos coach Kevin Walters reveals Adam Reynolds ‘doubtful’ for Storm clash

With a home semi-final on the line, Kevin Walters has disclosed that Adam Reynolds may miss the rest of the regular season with a calf injury.

In order to prevent Brisbane's wounded champion from having a catastrophic season-ending meltdown on the eve of the playoffs, the Broncos are considering resting Adam Reynolds until the finals.

Coach Kevin Walters of the Brisbane Broncos has told this masthead that he is going to protect his star captain, Josh Reynolds, with cotton wool to make sure he is 100 percent for the Broncos' playoff run.

Unexpectedly, Reynolds will not be able to play against the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday night since he injured his calf during a Broncos opposition session last Friday.

The premiership hero was slated to make his return for Thursday week's showdown between Brisbane and Melbourne in the last round, but coach Kevin Walters said the star player will not be rushed back for the Melbourne showdown.

For the first time since 2019, he expects Brisbane's most valuable player to be available for the club's postseason run.

According to Walters, "he is uncertain (for the Storm game).

Depending on how his recuperation goes, we won't hold 'Reyno' back from playing next week if he's ready.

We can't put our faith in him. He plays if he's healthy enough, and we won't pick him if he isn't.

Reyno is the finest person to decide. When the time comes, he'll know if he's up to playing. We're fine with him not playing, but his health and presence through the playoffs are paramount.

He'd like to play again soon because no athlete enjoys sitting on the sidelines, but the team's next game is this coming Thursday against the Storm, so time is of the essence.

Brisbane's chances of hosting a semi-final at their Suncorp cauldron could be severely damaged if Reynolds is out for the rest of the regular season.

The Broncos (17-5) are in second place heading into Sunday's game against the Raiders, but they might lose home-field advantage in the NFC semi-finals to the Warriors (third place) on percentages if they lose their remaining two games.

Winning their final two games against the Dragons (h) and Dolphins (a) would put the Warriors within striking distance of Brisbane (40 points) and put them in first place in the league.

The Warriors are now the Broncos' first-round finals opponent at Suncorp Stadium, but in the worst-case scenario, Brisbane would have to fly to New Zealand to take on the Warriors.

Reynolds's setback came during a bye week when the Broncos were supposed to relax.

Walters is aware of the vulnerability of calf injuries; Mitchell, a superstar for South Sydney, missed the entire Origin series this year due to one.

"Calf injuries can be tricky, but we have good trust in our medical staff, and Reyno is a pretty good healer, he doesn't miss many games," Walters remarked.

On Friday, we did some opposition training, and it started to bother him at the ten-minute mark.

We got the scans, and there is a little bit of a problem there, so we'll get the medical staff to sort him out and get him back on the field. "At the time, I didn't think it was too much."

Jock Madden, who started in place of Reynolds in Brisbane's 30–14 thrashing of the Cowboys three weeks ago, had his confidence boosted by Walters to perform well against the Green Machine.

"Jock can step up," he proclaimed.

Without Adam, we still plan to come out on top. Jock Madden is a capable member of our team. I have faith that Jock will lace up the boots and play in the absence of Reyno for as many games as it may be.

It's a great chance for Jock to get in some significant minutes before the season ends.

The Broncos will get a boost in Canberra with the presence of standout winger Selwyn Cobbo.

Cobbo told Brisbane staff on Tuesday that he is excited to face the Green Machine after missing Monday's training due to the death in his family.

SILVER LINING TO REYNOLDS INJURY

The Broncos believe that Adam Reynolds' calf injury will not turn into a Sam Kerr situation, and that it may actually result in two unexpected benefits.

One, the experienced halfback gets some much-needed rest before the playoffs, and two, the club gets a chance to grow up without him at a time when they can afford to lose a game or two.

However, if Reynolds' injury is not severe, as initial reports suggest he may only miss Saturday's away encounter against the Canberra Raiders, then those two circumstances become advantageous.

On Monday, Reynolds was seen with a compression bandage on his leg, but if this weekend's game had been a championship, he could have contemplated participating.

After stepping up to lead the team to a 30-14 victory over North Queensland in Reynolds's absence, Jock Madden will return to his next game more confident than ever.

''Jock has been fantastic for us,'' prop Tom Flegler said.

A few of weeks ago, he got on the field and delivered.

We have complete faith in Jock's abilities, and it would be an excellent moment for Reyno to take a break.

"Performances like (against the Cowboys) give the squad a lot of confidence. We also had some people go out during Origin and come back with victories.

Penrith is the perfect illustration of that. Whenever they are missing key players, the replacements step up to the plate.

"The guys we've called up have really stepped up their game."

The Broncos, who had been terrible on the road in recent years, have been outstanding this season, going 10-2.

The Broncos' 17-year wait for a premiership has been fueled by the team's strong performance away from home and the momentum established by their opening-round victory against Penrith.

Corey Oates practiced on the left flank and is ready to play his 200th game if needed, while Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo skipped Monday's practice due to personal issues.

Without Cobbo, it would be difficult for coach Kevin Walters to decide between Oates and Jesse Arthars, who is healthy again after suffering a concussion.

According to oddsmakers, there are only three teams with a realistic shot at winning the premiership: Penrith ($2.20), the Broncos ($3.50), and the Storm ($7).

Flegler, like Herbie Farnworth, will be leaving at the conclusion of the season to play for the Dolphins, so the two are eager to make the most of their final chance to win a championship.