Major Tom in battle with Pez dispenser for Broncos No.7
Joel Gould |
The shoes of Adam Reynolds will be big ones to fill at Brisbane, but young gun Tom Duffy has made an early claim to be the starting halfback in 2027.
Duffy faces stiff competition with former Parramatta and Melbourne playmaker Jonah Pezet now on deck as a new signing and veteran Ben Hunt already vocal about his desire to be the new No.7 in the wake of legend Reynolds’ retirement.
Reynolds, captain of the 2025 premiership team, is now on the coaching staff and plotting a Red Hill renaissance after the Broncos finished 14th last season.
Duffy played 10 games in his rookie season in 2026, mostly at five-eighth. His best position is halfback and the Broncos will be aiming to play Ezra Mam at No.6 next year.
Duffy, 23, has started pre-season training with zip and is ready for the battle ahead with Hunt and in particular Pezet.
“It’s great. We’re the same age and have been through the same sort of junior system and pathway, and now we’ve come together at the same club,” Duffy said.
“We are both going for that seven spot. It’s a very friendly battle, but we both want it. Dozer (Hunt) is in there as well. He wants a seven as well.
“It is going to make everyone train harder and it’s going to make the team go better.
“I enjoy playing seven and controlling the team. I don’t think there’s much difference between a six and a seven these days, but definitely my kicking game and my communication among the team are my two strengths, which are more catered to a seven.”
Reynolds will pass on his wisdom and now that he is not playing has more time to go into the intricacies of halfback play with Pezet and Duffy.
“He will be a great link between the staff and the players,” Duffy said.
“We’re doing some kicking with him, which is one of his strengths, and it was great to tap into it last year as a player. But now as a coach, he’s probably got a bit more time to take things in and show you a few things.
“It will be interesting to see how he goes as a coach, but he’s definitely a bit more vocal and has taken us away for our specialised halves drills.”
Hunt, who will return to training next week, finished the 2026 season well at No.7 and is the favourite to assume the position initially, but the Broncos have competitive tension for what is a key position.
Mam did not play his best footy in 2026 at No.6, but Duffy was quick to defend him.
“I disagree. I think he had a great season. He had glimpses of really good stuff and then some stuff he’d like to work on,” Duffy said.
“He wasn’t due back until next week, but he came back early yesterday fit as a fiddle, won most of our fitness and just really hit the ground running. He’ll be ready to go.”
AAP