‘Put a line through it’: Why Madge backflip must happen after Reynolds’ farewell ‘disaster’
FOX SPORTS Australia · Fox League · 2026-08-26T09:57:25+00:00 · nguồn gốc
‘Put a line through it’: Why Madge backflip must happen after Reynolds’ farewell ‘disaster’
The Broncos have been urged to deliver a monumental backflip and allow Adam Reynolds to enjoy the NRL farewell he “deserves” in Round 27.
Speculation has been rife following the veteran halfback’s reveal that he had played his final first grade game, meaning he would be denied the opportunity to play in front of the Brisbane faithful one last time.
After a fitness test on Monday, Maguire was said to have informed Reynolds that Brisbane’s medical staff raised concerns about his ability to complete the game without injury.
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An emotional Reynolds broke the news on Monday night’s episode of NRL360 but then told media on Tuesday it was instead his own decision to hang up the boots.
Maguire then fronted the press on Wednesday, saying: “He basically said to me, I think it’s time Madge and I respect that”.
However, the NRL360 panel weren’t buying Reynolds’ backflip, with The Australian’s Brent Read calling the situation a “PR disaster”.
“It’s been a culmination over the season of PR disasters, the entire season has been a rabble so I suppose we shouldn’t really be surprised how it is ending,” he said on NRL360.
“I don’t think we will ever know the truth, (Reynolds) was the most raw (on Monday).
“He came on, he was emotional straight after the decision was made. You would think that is the most honest you get someone at that point.
“Because it was so raw.”
But despite the circus that unfolded, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis was of the belief the Broncos could fix the situation.
“They have had little to celebrate this year, this could have been the first week that they could have had lots of positive news and celebration around Adam Reynolds,” Carayannis said.
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“Payne Haas and some of the other players that are going. Instead we are left confused, we’re left surprised by what has transpired.
“I don’t think we have been able to pinpoint exactly what has transpired.
“They could have had a week of positive press, but instead it’s night three and we are still discussing why Adam Reynolds is not playing for a side that is out of the finals.”
For the veteran reporter, the mere fact that Reynolds believed he felt good after his fitness test suggested he could take the field, even for a short period.
Read also suggested that Reynolds “wants a farewell at Suncorp Stadium”.
However, a final NRL game in front of the Broncos fans at their home ground has now passed and Carayannis urged Maguire and his medical team to change their minds.
“What I can’t understand is Adam seemed, at the very least, close to being able to play this weekend. Why doesn’t he play next week?” Carayannis said.
“I know this is a home game, this is the opportunity to farewell him. But if he is close to playing this week, why not play next week.
“Why don’t we just put a line through it... they play next week. There had to have been at least some suggestion of a blow-up.
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“Why wouldn’t they? If he is fit and we have seen the uproar this week.
“The smart thing would be (is say) ‘Adam, do you think you could play next week? Play next week’.
“That’s the logical option here. You go ‘okay well, we have cocked it up this week’. We put our hands up and say we’ve got it wrong. ‘Adam, can you get yourself in a position next week to have a crack and play’.”
While Read admitted it was a different situation, he highlighted the way the Rabbitohs have catered for Jai Arrow during his battle with motor neurone disease.
The club got the green light from the NRL to include an extra name on their team list and also will have an extra substitute to allow Arrow to take the field in their final two regular season games.
Arrow will finish his NRL career with 100 games for Souths in a fitting end to his time on the rugby league field.
“You’ve got Jai Arrow running out this weekend, admittedly it is a different situation, but Souths have catered for Jai to play this weekend,” Read said.
“Surely there was a way Adam could have sat on the bench and came on, potentially played 20 or 15 minutes. Just something to honour the guy... Adam deserved to play.”