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April 24, 2026 \u2014 10:22pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n At a time when the Brisbane Broncos desperately needed a leader to rise above adversity, Adam Reynolds has done so once again to orchestrate the finest of boilovers against the Bulldogs \u2013 and in doing so, cemented his status as one of the glamour club\u2019s greatest captains.<\/p>\n Contending with a casualty ward overflowing with more than $5 million worth of talent \u2013 with 12 top-line players sidelined by either injury, suspension, or personal leave<\/a> \u2013 Reynolds had the ball on a string and a figure of composure in his side\u2019s 32-12 triumph at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n Even without his attacking linchpin Reece Walsh (cheekbone) and entire middle forward rotation of Payne Haas (knee), Pat Carrigan (suspension) and Corey Jensen (pulmonary embolism), the veteran halfback never lost his cool.<\/p>\n And he didn\u2019t need to, for he still had Ezra Mam \u2013 who put on a clinic which included a genuine contender for one of the most remarkable try-scoring finishes witnessed.<\/p>\n Brisbane\u2019s exploits were ultimately built off their defence, which thwarted three straight sets on their line early before getting any sort of chance to showcase their class with the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you defend your line for that amount of time you get confidence from that. You sort of grow about, and it\u2019s exactly what happened,\u201d Reynolds said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could just sense the energy was up after that.\u201d<\/p>\n After responding to that challenge, Reynolds tortured the Bulldogs off his boot \u2013 forcing consecutive dropouts before Ezra Mam\u2019s pinpoint grubber was swooped on by Gehamat Shibasaki for the game\u2019s first points.<\/p>\n Mam was at it again when he fired a lofted cutout pass for Josiah Karapani to extend the lead, before Reynolds\u2019 chip behind sent the crowd into delirium. As he looked to force his third repeat set, Reynolds\u2019 dive after a Harry Hayes trip resulted in the Bulldogs prop being sent to the sin bin.<\/p>\n Deine Mariner capitalised on the momentum, scoring a miracle try in the corner before then making a break and finding Cory Paix on his inside to push the halftime margin to 20.<\/p>\n There were greater fireworks to come \u2013 Mam\u2019s pass for Karapani putting the winger into space, with the latter\u2019s inside pass knocked down by Lachlan Galvin. As Mam picked up the scraps, he somehow kept himself barely a millimetre in the field of play and touched down over his head in an act scarcely believable.<\/p>\n Brisbane\u2019s professionalism bellied their inexperience \u2013 completing 40 of 43 sets, while making 35 tackles inside their own 20-metre zone. Their discipline was arguably the best they had shown since coach Michael Maguire arrived at Red Hill \u2013 conceding just two penalties, compared to the Bulldogs\u2019 seven along with 14 errors.<\/p>\n Reynolds\u2019 composure and game management \u2013 kicking for 689 metres \u2013 and Mam\u2019s wizardry was at the heart of it all. Even when Preston Riki was sin binned for a dangerous tackle in the second half, the Broncos\u2019 defence remained near impenetrable \u2013 conceding just once through Matt Burton, before Lachlan Galvin crossed late.<\/p>\n Canterbury-Bankstown will also face a nervous wait on Viliame Kikau, who has suffered a pec injury.<\/p>\n The casualty ward and saviour<\/p>\n Brisbane will welcome Carrigan back next week, while Jesse Arthars may be a chance having been named in the initial team only to be withdrawn for a leg concern.<\/p>\n However, Walsh, Jensen, Haas, Aublix Tawha, Blake Mozer, Ben Hunt, Billy Walters, Grant Anderson and Delouise Hoeter remain sidelined, while Ben Te Kura is pursuing an NFL opportunity on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n Related Article Brendan Piakura was then taken off at halftime after aggravating a knee issue, diminishing their stocks even further.<\/p>\n But despite the toll, the defending champions have won their past two clashes against the odds, with boom middle Xavier Willison proving he was a superstar in his own right.<\/p>\n The Kiwi enforcer, replacing Carrigan at lock, fought through 75 incredible minutes \u2013 running for 170 metres and making 33 tackles, before scoring the final try with the last play of the game.<\/p>\n Without Haas, Jensen and Carrigan, Brisbane were well short their brigade who laid the foundation. In Willison, they had a saviour who gave the Broncos a glimpse at life once Haas departs for South Sydney at season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s definitely grown as a player. When those players do come back, X is now at another level that he can take forward,\u201d Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo think we can have those players back and have X doing what he\u2019s doing \u2026 it\u2019s really showing the work the players have been doing in the background.\u201d<\/p>\n Unheralded heroes<\/p>\n Given the calibre of personnel missing in action, the Broncos needed their unheralded squad members to issue a statement of intent. Each of them did that in spades.<\/p>\n Ben Talty and Jack Gosiewski combined for 85 tackles in the front row, while Preston Riki punched through contact with each carry on his club debut.<\/p>\n Hayze Perham, Brisbane\u2019s third-string fullback, was faultless and laid on the last pass for Mariner\u2019s try, going on to finish with 115 running metres, while rookie enforcer VJ Semu also showcased plenty of promise.<\/p>\n If Brisbane can maintain this momentum until their superstars return, that depth of talent could be what delivers them back-to-back titles.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t surprised,\u201d Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said, when asked if he was surprised how the undermanned Broncos performed.<\/p>\n \u201cKotoni Staggs, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Xavier Willison \u2013 they\u2019ve got a lot of good depth, they\u2019ve built really strong depth at the club. We knew it was going to be a tough game, and we weren\u2019t talking about the players they were missing, we were talking about the players they had.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Xavier](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f0d59b8ef687660802a1504f4cb76f26d9b5ce20.jpeg\")
Xavier Willison of the Broncos celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Noah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777047328_775_cbd9e180a0e452523f1451733de3841661f2f442.jpeg\")
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