Adam Reynolds' revelation about coaching Brisbane Broncos after retirement in 2025
The 33-year-old halfback is on the verge of signing a one-year contract extension.
Adam Reynolds has revealed he wants to join the Brisbane Broncos' coaching staff after his planned retirement from the NRL at the end of the 2025 season. Off contract at the end of 2024, the 33-year-old halfback is expected to ink a one-year extension that will take him to what he thinks will be his final season in 2025.
According to reports, Reynolds will take a significant pay-cut on his next deal so the Broncos can afford to upgrade the contracts of young guns Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam. "It is getting solved in the background," Reynolds said on Friday at pre-season training, where he rocked up at 80kg - five below the weight he played at in the grand final.
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"I still feel like I have more to give. My body is feeling good. I feel like I am playing good enough football to go around again. I am enjoying the club and I love being around the boys. It is pretty simple."
Reynolds already plays somewhat of an assistant coaching role at the Broncos due to his vast experience, and readily passes on his knowledge to the likes of Walsh and Mam. But on Friday he revealed for the first time that he wants to take on an official coaching role when he retires from playing.
"I am pretty keen to go down that path. I love working with young fellas," he said. "I came from a system at Souths where there were a lot of older players so you didn't have to do too much outside of your job.
"Coming here it has been refreshing for myself to teach the younger fellas. I think it helps you understand your own role better too. You go over the processes and explain it to the younger fellas, slow it down and try and get them to understand what you are trying to achieve. I enjoy giving that feedback and seeing them execute it."
Reynolds explained how he managed to trim down in the off-season after playing the grand final at 85kg. "A lot of running … old school road runs, treadmill runs and I have been a bit cleaner with the diet," he said.
"I just think it is easier at the back-end of your career to play a bit lighter and get around the field a bit easier. You talk to past players and they say they found it easier being a bit lighter at the back end."
Adam Reynolds responds to Kurt Capewell's departure
The Broncos were rocked by the immediate departure of veteran back-rower Kurt Capewell this week, who was granted an early release to join the Warriors after being informed his contract wouldn't be extended past 2024. Reynolds said Capewell's exit would have a "huge impact on the club".
"He's done such a wonderful job on the field, but I think the part off the field is where you get the most value out of Kurt with his professionalism around training and the standards he sets," Reynolds said. "He was a big part of why we had success last season. There is a big hole there and it's up to these young boys to step up and take a bit of ownership and really grow."
Reynolds said he expects 21-year-old back-rower Brendan Piakura, who came off the bench in the NRL grand final against Penrith, to fill the void left by Capewell's departure. The early exit of the former State of Origin player is also likely to free up money for Walsh and Mam.
Fullback Walsh made about $450,000 in 2023, while Mam was only on around $250,000. But both players will earn big pay-rises on their next contracts after shooting to superstardom in recent years.
with AAP
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