Fresh fiasco erupts as ‘delusional’ Broncos brought to their knees
Leading Brisbane NRL journalist Adam Jackson has put the “delusional” Broncos on blast and detailed the “diabolical” decisions that culminated in one of the club’s worst weeks in recent memory.
The reigning premiers have been in a tail spin trying to repair their image after a sequence of blunders that derailed the NRL farewell of champion halfback Adam Reynolds.
Departing Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds. NRL Images
The publicity became so bad for the proud Red Hill club that CEO Dave Donaghy sensationally fronted media on Monday to explain and apologise for the comedy of errors.
The Broncos were already feeling the heat after missing the finals just one season after winning a premiership, becoming the first NRL side in 20 years to achieve the ugly feat.
Then, last Monday it came to light Reynolds had been denied a farewell game in their last performance at Suncorp Stadium for the year. They ended up losing 46-20 to Melbourne, with both clubs already out of finals contention.
Reynolds did several media interviews, including with 9News, on Monday after being told he wouldn’t be afforded one last game. The club then put him up for media the following day, wearing a club shirt and insisting he was at peace with the decision.
Jackson was at that press conference and says the tension in the air was palpable.
“I was embarrassed for him, I felt second hand embarrassment,” Jackson said on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
“Ultimately, what did he do wrong? He came out, he was honest. He spoke to us at 9News on Monday afternoon and then Triple M, then did NRL 360.
“I felt so bad for the bloke.”
Reynolds was trotted out at Suncorp Stadium following the loss on Thursday alongside three other departing Broncos players.
But as they did a lap of honour and were interacting with the fans, the stadium big screen instead blasted a Kia promotion. Donaghy on Monday partly blamed the stadium and a power outage for the blunder.
Reynolds gave a farewell speech and snubbed coach Michael Maguire, who he won premierships with in 2025 and in 2014 at South Sydney.
Adam Reynolds fronts media. Nine
In a further embarrassment to the club, Melbourne lodged a complaint about Broncos great Alex Glenn, who now works as the ground announcer and chief hype guy at Suncorp Stadium.
Glenn was accused of chanting over the loudspeakers as Storm players were attempting to catch high kicks during the game. The NRL on Tuesday issued a warning to all clubs about such antics.
Jackson is among many left bewildered by the club’s actions during a week when Reynolds should have been the focus of attention, and celebrated properly.
“That was diabolical, the way that was handled,” Jackson told QLDER.
“Anyone from the Broncos who disagrees is delusional.
“(Reynolds) deserves a lot better than the way he was treated last week. It was just horrifically handled.
“I know Broncos players are furious that he wasn’t given the opportunity to have a farewell game. And look at the way that match turned out against Melbourne - if Reynolds plays, does the scoreline look any worse?
“It was just atrociously handled, and it’s such a shame that for a guy who’s been a legend of the competition for so long, that’s how you go out.
“Believe what you want to believe, because there are several versions of events.
“What was more important last week at the Broncos than Adam Reynolds playing his last game? Nothing, focus on that.”
The Broncos have one more game before their dismal season comes to an end. They face the Bulldogs in Sydney on Thursday night.
Maguire fronted media on Wednesday and said he is hoping Reynolds stays at Red Hill in some capacity.
“We’re working through what his role will be. He will be around the club for sure,” the coach said.
“It would be crazy not to utilise Reyno when I’ve known him for about 14 years. He’s going to have many roles here.”
