Adam Reynolds has put retirement talk to bed and insists his premiership-winning Broncos can succeed the Panthers and create their own dynasty by going back-to-back in 2026. Brisbane’s 26-22 comeback win on Sunday night marked the second NRL grand final triumph in a superb career for Reynolds, whose game ended with a calf injury early in the second half that raised fresh questions around his future.
The veteran No.7 has endured a difficult couple of years with injuries, as the strain of a long and gruelling career begins to take its toll on the 35-year-old. And the sight of Reynolds being carried off the field on Sunday night because he could barely walk, left many fans pondering whether it was a sign his glittering career was coming to an end.
Adam Reynolds (R) has put retirement talk to bed and says his premiership-winning Broncos are ready to succeed Ivan Cleary’s (L) Panthers by starting their own NRL dynasty. Pic: Getty
Brisbane battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit to topple the Storm in a courageous second half display – largely without their inspirational skipper. But after seeing his team end the club’s 19-year premiership drought, Reynolds hobbled up onto the stage to deliver his winning address, and declared his intentions to go around again in 2026.
“I just want to congratulate you (the Storm) on a fantastic season,” he said. “You guys set the benchmark for so many years now, could have easily went your way tonight. Keep your heads high.” The Broncos skipper added that he ‘cant wait to run it back next year’ and was already looking forward to Brisbane’s premiership defence in 2026.
The 35-year-old’s revelation came after swirling rumours, stirred up by Reynolds’ teammates, that he might retire if they won the grand final. Sunday night’s premiership triumph certainly would have been a fitting way for Reynolds to bow out on top, but it’s hard to argue with the notion that he still has plenty to offer.
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire may need to manage the champion halfback’s game-time in 2026, to help him get through another arduous season. But having won their second premiership together after lifting the trophy at Souths in 2014, Reynolds was delighted to have proven critics wrong for suggesting he was ‘past it’ as a premiership half.
Adam Reynolds proves critics wrong with second premiership
“They will still question me, but it doesn’t faze me,” he said. “I believe in my own abilities. I believe in my teammates. That’s all that really matters… I’ve always been questioned my whole life, as a kid from Redfern. No one is supposed to make it out of Redfern. A lot of people get looked at different because they are from there.
“Going into junior rep footy you are too small, not fast enough. It’s the same when you come into first grade, where you have got your knockers and critics that at every opportunity want to knock you down. You use that as a bit of motivation to keep going, and I will keep going… It is my teammates that I want the success for. It’s not about me. It is about them, having memories and moments they can look back on and be proud of.”
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds (R) and Kotoni Staggs (L) pose together with the NRL premiership trophy after Brisbane’s grand final win over the Storm. Pic: Getty
Brisbane want to succeed Penrith as NRL’s latest dynasty
With a supremely talented roster that includes superstars Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs, the Broncos have a squad capable of succeeding the premiership-winning Penrith dynasty. Reynolds admits that’s the goal and believes with a full season under Maguire and the premiership monkey off their backs, Brisbane are well equipped to go back-to-back in 2026.
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“The team is set up for that. We have got some great players at this club, and there is no reason to stop that legacy,” Reynolds said. “It is a hard thing to do. We have seen Penrith do it for so many years and it is a credit to them.
“They have given everyone something to chase and they have inspired the whole competition to be better. We will enjoy this (victory), but that is for down the track… (but) from the start of the year to where we are now, we are a mile ahead. Another five or six months down the track, who knows.”
with AAP