Adam Reynolds at centre of massive boost for Broncos amid Reece Walsh's absence
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds completed a full training session on Monday as he looks to return from injury.
After a horror week for last year's NRL grand finalists Broncos fans have a reason to celebrate, with club captain Adam Reynolds completing the full team training session on Monday. On Thursday night Brisbane were thrashed 34-12 by Penrith, with things only made worse by an injury to Reece Walsh.
Walsh suffered a facial fracture in a nasty incident with Taylan May, which will see him sidelined for 4-6 weeks. The fullback's injury comes as both Reynolds and Payne Haas missed the grand final rematch through injury.
Haas is sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on a troublesome right knee. While Reynolds was set to miss the next few weeks with a medial collateral ligament strain, however, it appears as though he may already be in line to return to the run-on side, with Brisbane winger Jesse Arthars saying he is "a quick healer".
"Reyno is a quick healer and hopefully he will be out there steering the ship around. If he is not there we have Jock and he will do a great job as well," Broncos winger Jesse Arthars said. "Reyno is our skipper and if he is playing everyone is confident but whoever fills the positions we have faith in."
If he is not ready to go, Jock Madden will remain in his place in the side. While Walsh is set to be replaced this weekend by Tristan Sailor. Sailor did a superb job filling in for Walsh last year in four matches while the Broncos star was on duty with the Maroons, racking up six try assists and making several try-saving tackles for his team.
"Tristan is a very classy player and fits in really well. Reece is obviously our main number one but Tristan does an excellent job when Reece is not available," Arthars said. "We are expecting his best and I am excited for him to get a crack this early in the season."
"Tristan has been playing fullback for a long time. Reece does one of the best jobs in the game and I think they bounce off each other with different ideas, what's working and what is not working. That is ultimately healthy for the club with two different minds coming together."
Kevin Walters considering naming an outside back on the bench
Broncos coach Kevin Walters told AAP on Sunday that he is weighing up whether or not to name an outside back on the bench after being caught out by Walsh being ruled out of the game early on against the Panthers. Second rower Brendan Piakura was pushed out to the centres after the injury to Brisbane's fullback in the opening minutes and despite doing a decent enough job, it was an area the premiers exploited repeatedly throughout the match.
As a result, the coach is considering naming a utility or outside back in the side. One option is to pick veteran winger Corey Oates as a No.17 as he has successfully recovered from a knee injury and also completed the training session on Monday. That option is one that Arthars supports as he says Oates can play multiple positions and make a real impact off the bench.
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"Oatesy has been training with us the whole time and wherever Kevvie wants to put him there is always a spot for him," Arthars said. "If he wants to put him on the bench he is a really big body and has the strong carries. He can play a few positions as well."
