Adam Reynolds cops 'team first' swipe at Broncos after hitting back over Billy Walters uproar
The veteran Broncos halfback has defended himself in the wake of the criticism.
Adam Reynolds has been accused of failing to put his team first after the Brisbane Broncos captain hit back at criticism over his decision to replace teammate Billy Walters on a Triple M radio gig. Walters had been making regular appearances this year on the breakfast radio program hosted by Greg Martin, Dan Anstey and Margaux Parker (the wife of Broncos legend Corey) but quit after constant criticism on the show around his father and coach, Kevin Walters - particularly from Martin.
Reynolds decided to take his teammate's place on the show but in doing so has been accused by the likes of club great Gorden Tallis of letting the team down and failing to stand up for his coach. And on NRL 360 on Monday night, veteran league journalist Phil Rothfield added to the criticism of Reynolds after insisting he should have turned down the radio opportunity to show that he stood firmly with his team.
“They had been bagging the Broncos and Kevvie a lot (on the show)," Rothfield said. "What I didn’t like is that Adam Reynolds jumped straight in and took Billy’s job. In situations like this, it is team first. There’s a pretty serious feud going on there where a bloke has pulled the pin.
“I know Reynolds has a contract at Triple M, not to do that breakfast show though. And I’m really disappointed in him that he didn’t stand up for Kev and Billy and say sorry, I’m not doing it.” The Australian's Brent Read said it was his understanding that Reynolds was asked by the Broncos to represent the club and continue its radio obligations but agreed with the criticism that as captain of the club, it was his duty to present a united front and stand alongside his colleagues.
“A great captain with the season on the line would’ve said to Triple M, 'I back Billy. I back Kevvie. I’m sorry but I’m not taking it',” Read said. “He had to be (aware of Billy Walters quitting Triple M). It was all over the media." You hear stories about them being a fractured club... There was no excuse for Saturday (the thrashing by the Dolphins).”
Those swipes came after Tallis also ripped into Reynolds and said he should have boycotted the radio show. “It was just a test (of whether Reynolds had Walters’ back)," Tallis declared on Triple M last weekend. “Billy Walters said no to coming on this station and his captain jumps straight in.
“If one of my players said no to come on to this (radio network), it’s one in, all in. That’s the problem. I wouldn’t do it. He (Reynolds) can say no. You can say no. You have to be on the same page and you have to be one in, all in.”
Adam Reynolds throws support behind Kevin Walters
Reynolds responded to Tallis' criticism on Monday and said while he respected the club great's right to an opinion, he denied suggestions that he didn't have his coach's back. The veteran halfback took the opportunity to throw his support behind the under-fire coach and insisted he was absolutely the right man to lead the club into the future.
"It is his opinion. He is entitled to his opinion. I was on the radio this morning backing Kev," Reynolds said about Tallis' swipe. "Kev brought me here from (South Sydney) and has given me a great opportunity to come up to a great club and do something special. I love the place and I am forever grateful.
"Kev has done a fantastic job leading this club and is the right man for that job... We believe in him. We just need to get on board and follow the instructions from Kev. I have never seen anyone more passionate about the club and someone who loves the club and it has to rub off on the players."
Rothfield suggested the Brisbane coach had until round 12 of next season to turn things around or potentially face the axe after a massively disappointing 2024. But Tallis says the majority of blame needs to lie with the players and their attitudes, pointing to an early season scuffle between Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan that set the tone for an underwhelming season.
RELATED:
Sam Walker in devastating update as Roosters rocked by triple blow
NRL fans torch Souths over controversial Latrell Mitchell move
“That’s rubbish (that Walters might be sacked)," Tallis said. "He was three minutes away from winning a premiership (in 2023), his job is not under the pump. The whole place is and the players are. The players are the ones who own their performance.
“It’s just the players. They need some new faces at training and they need to harden up. When you talk to blokes who are super successful and at the great clubs, their highest paid, their captain, their best players are usually their best trainers. They have to take some ownership.”
