‘It was my call’: Reynolds denies Madge rift after farewell snub
Adam Reynolds has denied a rift with Broncos coach Michael Maguire and claims it was his decision not play the side’s final two rounds.
The champion halfback announced at the start of this season that he would retire, but was hopeful of getting a Suncorp Stadium swansong this Thursday night.
Adam Reynolds. Getty Images
However, due to a lingering calf injury, Reynolds confirmed on Monday afternoon that Brisbane’s medical staff and Maguire had told him that wouldn’t happen.
“All NRL careers come to an end and unfortunately, mine is today,” he said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott on Monday.
“I thought there’d be a chance to play one last home game and then hand it over to the rest of the boys to finish off the rest of the season, but that’s not to be.
“I got through [training], I felt good out there, and then had some conversations with Madge and the medical staff and they were concerned with the limited training I’ve had in the last couple of weeks. They were quite concerned and looking out for the body of mine, which is obviously temperamental.
“You want to play the game forever, and that’s us as professional athletes. That’s not reality. The reality is you get old, you get brittle, and you get sore, and at the end of the day you can’t keep competing forever.
“I knew this day was coming, and that I had to say goodbye at some stage and unfortunately that is today.”
Broncos teammate Ben Hunt said he was “pretty shocked” by the decision not to let Reynolds play a farewell fixture in round 26.
The collective response to Reynolds’ announcement among his teammates was one of shock, with Hunt conceding every player was excited by the prospect of having their leader back with them for the final two matches.
“We’re all pretty shocked to be fair,” Hunt said on 4BC Radio on Tuesday.
“We knew how hard he’s been pushing the last few weeks ... seeing him get through that full session, we thought for sure he was going to get another run.
“He’s obviously disappointed. We thought he deserved that send-off ... but obviously, they’ve all made that decision between them. I can’t comment too much on it … but we’re pretty disappointed that he’s not going be out there.”
However, in a fresh twist, Reynolds fronted media on Tuesday afternoon to walk back some of his earlier messaging in a bid to take the heat off his coach.
“I want to address everything that happened yesterday. Things have been taken out of proportion and I feel it’s unfair to blame Madge,” he said.
Adam Reynolds speaks to media. Brisbane Broncos
“There was a conversation we had on the field, went over it with the medical staff and Madge. Ultimately, at the end of the day, it was my decision to call time.
“Everything has been blown out of proportion today, I feel for Madge -- there’s no better relationship in sport than myself and Madge. The time we’ve had across two clubs, the times on and off the field, I’d hate to see that friendship diminish.
“It was all a bit of a rush yesterday, to be honest. There wasn’t a lot of time to filter things through. I was pretty emotional at the time too, obviously there’s no blueprint on how you go about your business when you retire.
“It’s probably a lesson for myself and moving forward, obviously you digest things first and from that moment onwards, you’ve got a bit more clarity on filtering those words out properly. The way that Madge has been blamed for it all, it was my choice to call time and it’s been perceived as it being Madge’s call.
“I was trying everything to get back out there, but with limited preparation, I didn’t think I was doing anyone any favours and the team always comes first.”
He also shut down suggestions he could be afforded a similar farewell to South Sydney star Jai Arrow, who will run out with the side for the final two games after being forced to retire due a motor neurone disease diagnosis.
“I think it’s a totally different scenario,” Reynolds said.
“Out of respect for Jai, I don’t think we’ll talk about that too much. That wouldn’t have satisfied me, I want to play 80 minutes and get out there.
Adam Reynolds stands with former teammates Jai Arrow and Cody Walker. Getty Images
“I’m not at 100 per cent and I don’t wanna go out there and let my teammates down. I’m a pretty selfless person, I didn’t wanna put myself before the team.”
Reynolds played 323 first grade games for the Rabbitohs and Broncos, winning a premiership at each club. He also played two State of Origin games for NSW.
The pint-sized playmaker was part of South Sydney’s drought-breaking title win in 2014, ending more than four decades of heartache. Reynolds then helped Brisbane end their own 19-year run without a premiership last year.
Injuries have hampered Reynolds’ final campaign at Red Hill, with the skipper limited to just 14 appearances in a tough season for the Broncos.
