Brisbane Broncos have been thrown a last-minute curveball ahead of their highly anticipated Friday clash with the North Queensland Cowboys, with veteran captain and starting halfback Adam Reynolds ruled out of the fixture due to an ongoing groin injury.
Reynolds had originally been named in the matchday squad when lineups were announced on Tuesday, just days after he was forced off the field during Brisbane’s previous match against the Gold Coast Titans. However, a final fitness assessment held during the Broncos’ captain’s run training session confirmed the experienced playmaker had not recovered sufficiently to meet match demands, particularly when it came to the high-intensity kicking workload required for the role.
The sudden withdrawal clears the way for 22-year-old newcomer Tom Duffy to make his club debut for the defending premiers just months after making a move north from the Cowboys, the side he will face off against on Friday. Duffy, who signed a one-year contract with Brisbane in the off-season, will step straight into the starting halves combination to partner star playmaker Ezra Mam.
Having featured in six first-grade matches for North Queensland during the 2023 season, Duffy has impressed Brisbane coaching staff with his work ethic during pre-season and throughout the early rounds of the current campaign. Broncos head coach Michael Maguire says he has full confidence in the young debutant to step up to the challenge.
“Reyno did all the running in training and he was comfortable with that side of things, but he just didn’t feel his kicking was where it needed to be to help this team,” Maguire told reporters ahead of the match. “We’re really fortunate that Tommy is fit, ready and prepared to step in. I’m incredibly excited to see him get this opportunity. He’s fitted into our squad seamlessly from day one, threw everything into pre-season, and this opportunity is something he’s earned through hard work. He’s a strong organiser who can lead the team around the park, and he’s got an excellent kicking game that will suit us well. I have no doubt he’ll do his job for this side.”
This match marks a second significant blow to the Broncos’ starting lineup, already missing superstar fullback Reece Walsh who will remain sidelined for at least another month as he recovers from a fractured cheekbone. Experienced utility Ben Hunt is also out long-term with a lingering knee injury, forcing further adjustments to Brisbane’s matchday 17.
To cover Walsh’s absence, versatile utility Jesse Arthars will move into the starting fullback position to face the red-hot Cowboys, who enter Friday’s clash on the back of three straight wins. The Cowboys’ turnaround comes as a dramatic reversal of fortune after a dismal opening to the season that sparked widespread speculation that the club could part ways with head coach Todd Payten.
While Arthars cannot be expected to replicate the dynamic attacking impact Walsh brings to the Broncos side, Maguire says he has full trust in the selfless utility to execute his role effectively. “Jess is one of the most selfless, great team men we have in this squad. He fits in wherever we need him, and he always works his backside off for his teammates,” Maguire explained. “Every player has their own role to play for this team, that’s how we get the best out of every individual. That’s what we saw with Reece, and that’s exactly what we expect from Jesse out in the fullback position on Friday.”
For the Broncos, the match represents a key test of their depth after a rocky start to the title defense that has since stabilized, as they look to continue their upward momentum against a resurgent Cowboys side that is rapidly gaining confidence in 2024.