Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has spoken for the first time after re-injuring his hamstring at training on Wednesday, claiming the setback is “not as serious as everyone’s talking about”.
Reynolds was on Tuesday a surprise addition to the extended bench named by coach Michael Maguire for Saturday’s clash with the Cowboys, only to tighten up in a field session 24 hours later.
He is scheduled to have a scan on Friday to have the injury assessed, but speaking to 9News journalist Ben Dobbin on Triple M’s The Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott, Reynolds claimed he was still on track to return for the first week of finals.
“It’s not as serious as everyone’s talking about. It was a bit of tightness at training the other day, I was doing everything with the team, and unfortunately it tightened up,” he said.
“I got off the field pretty quick to make sure I didn’t get any further damage to it. I’m still on schedule and should be back for the finals.”
Reynolds claim that he was “still on schedule” was scrutinised by Dobbin, who put it to the Broncos skipper that Maguire was planning to bring him back into the side in round 27 and had been open to playing him this Saturday had he got through training successfully.
A sheepish Reynolds then confirmed that he had been targeting a return in next Thursday’s match-up with the Storm.
“It was always the plan to play the first week of finals. I would like to have been back the week prior but not to be,” he said.
“I tend to like to get out and train pretty early, as early as I can. It’s my fault for pushing it a bit too much to get back.
“I’m eager to get back out there with the team; I feel like we’re in a good spot at the moment and I want to contribute. It’s tough watching from the sidelines but I have to recognise the boys are doing a great job.”
Reynolds’ return timeline will likely be confirmed by the result of Friday’s scan, which the veteran halfback said was “routine” and would have occurred even if he had not tightened up at training.
However, given his age and history with hamstring injuries, the Broncos will undoubtedly be nervous about his comeback, particularly if it comes in a sudden death final.
The Broncos currently sit fifth on the table, one win behind the Warriors but with a significantly better for and against, putting a fourth place finish well and truly in play.
As well as their clash against the Cowboys in Townsville, the Broncos host the Storm in the final round of the regular season. The Warriors, meanwhile, host the Eels on Friday night then visit the Sea Eagles to close out their regular season.
