Reynolds ready to be hoodoo guru for Broncos in decider
Joel Gould |
Adam Reynolds has rubbished suggestions there is a Melbourne “hoodoo” hanging over Brisbane as he explains why he is convinced the Broncos can win the NRL grand final.
Much has been made of the Storm having the wood on the Broncos in the past decade, with 17 wins from the past 19 clashes.
Brisbane beat Melbourne 30-14 in round 27 this year when both teams were without key men. Storm hooker Harry Grant was suspended for that game, while Reynolds was out injured.
The Broncos also prevailed 26-0 in the 2023 qualifying final, one of their best-ever finals performances.
It has been slim pickings aside from that.
Reynolds, fresh from landing a match-winning sideline conversion in the 16-14 qualifying final win over Penrith in a stellar individual display, said the Storm held no sway over Brisbane due to the past.
“Hoodoos are there to be broken,” he said.
“Penrith had the wood over us for so long and we beat that, so there is no reason why we can’t go down there and get the job done.
“They are a tough side to beat, but the belief in this team is amazing and I am just happy to be a part of it.”
The Broncos won the big moments against the Panthers, who had claimed nine of the previous 10 meetings between the clubs.
There was Reynolds’ sideline conversion to win it, two crucial try-saving tackles by second-rower Jordan Riki on Nathan Cleary, and a miracle pass by Reece Walsh to set up Deine Mariner for the try that levelled the scores.
Reynolds’ belief ahead of the Storm clash is informed by the fact the Broncos have now won five games in recent months after trailing by 14 points or more. They are winning the moments that count.
“I touched on moments before the (Panthers) game,” Reynolds said.
“I said to the group that if we can win little moments and more moments than they do, we will get the result. They are a team that prides themselves on moments, and they have been doing it for five or six years now.
“To match it with them and get the job done is pretty special.”
Not since Shane Perry in 2006 has a Broncos No.7 tasted grand final success. Reynolds, keen to bury the bad memories of losing the 2021 grand final with South Sydney and 2023 decider with the Broncos, is confident he can be the next.
“I don’t see why not. I’ve had that belief since day one when I arrived at this club,” Reynolds said.
“The club has given me so much, so it is about me repaying that. It’s been a couple of good years, but to top it off with a grand final victory would be very special.”
AAP
