Reynolds reveals fitness hopes as Raiders target Walsh
George Clarke |
Adam Reynolds is talking up his hopes of featuring in Brisbane’s qualifying final with Canberra as Raiders captain Joe Tapine looks to put a fresh target on Broncos poster boy Reece Walsh.
Reynolds has been sidelined for the last month with hamstring issues and said he would make a call on his fitness on Tuesday.
The veteran playmaker was confident he could line up for coach Michael Maguire against the minor premiers at GIO Stadium on Sunday.
But if the Broncos, who have won four straight games heading into the finals to finish fourth, opt to take a cautious approach, Ben Hunt has ably deputised as Brisbane’s No.7 in the absence of Reynolds.
“I’m feeling good, feeling well and had a good session on Saturday,” Reynolds told AAP.
“I pulled through that fine and I’ve still got a few boxes to tick, but I’m confident I’ll get back out there.
“I got to 95 per cent – close enough to my top speed which isn’t very fast.
“We’ve got a good team there at the Broncos who obviously measure all that.
“The medical staff are very diligent around their planning and reintroducing me into teamwork.
“We’ll tick that box on Tuesday and fingers crossed we’ll get through that and can get back into the group.”
If Brisbane chose to give Reynolds an extra week of rest, the halfback said they are in good hands given the form of Walsh.
The Broncos fullback pulled all the strings in last Thursday’s 30-14 win over Melbourne as he scored 22 of Brisbane’s points.
“We have to keep believing in him and allow Reece to take the game on when he sees it,” said Reynolds.
“He is a big part of our success, it’s no fluke, he does in games what we see in training daily.
“He was critcised early on in the season but we have the belief he can do his job.”
Canberra, though, have made their intentions known on how they want to handle Brisbane’s No.1.
The Raiders pack have previous with Walsh, with Green Machine prop Tapine smashing the flyweight fullback late in a game in 2023.
Walsh was trying to kill time and feigned injury but Tapine spared no prisoners as he blindsided the Broncos star with a bell-ringer to spark an all-in melee.
“It was just a little tackle … I hope I get the same opportunity,” Tapine grinned.
“He’s quick and hard to get but for us to win, it’s about us playing our game.”
Reynolds said Walsh would not be daunted by any of Canberra’s intimidation tactics.
“I think we all have a laugh at that (Tapine shot), you’ve got to love that,” Reynolds said.
“He (Walsh is) certainly tough. It’s hard to not be tough and get away with it.
“He certainly takes the game on. He’s not afraid of the collisions, and is willing to go to places that many others aren’t.”
AAP
