HE’S the superstar Bronco who opted to pass the buck – and his decision ended a dynasty.
Down 14-0 to a team chasing a fifth consecutive NRL premiership, Brisbane roared back before 52,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium in the second preliminary final, which would decide Melbourne’s opponents in next week’s GF.
But Brisbane pin-up Reece Walsh hit the uprights with the chance to narrow the margin to 12-10 with a conversion in the 70th minute.
So when Deine Mariner brought the house down by levelling the scores with four minutes to go, it was the experienced Adam Reynolds who took the sideline shot – and split the sticks to bring down the curtain on the Panthers’ half-decade of dominance.
Asked whose call it was for the kicking duties to change, Walsh told Channel Nine: “Mine.
“That’s his moment. He’s built for it. There’s been a lot of talk about our little general … and that’s the reason why he’s in our bloody team, when there’s moments like that.”
Discussing his icy execution, 35-year-old Reynolds said it was “just process – something I’ve been practicing for a helluva long time.
“I knew once we scored the try, I had to separate the emotions from what was going on at the time.
“I mean, the crowd was amazing. They were so loud. It was good to just sit back and take that in and just completely shut off from everything and just focus about the kick.
“Been practicing that since I was a little kid, Waterloo Oval.
“Replicated that a thousand times in my mind and to nail it tonight was a good feeling.”
MORE TO COME