Broncos bash Tigers but lose Reynolds in costly win

Brisbane stormed to the top of the NRL ladder with a 46-24 win over the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, but it came at a cost, with skipper Adam Reynolds suffering a hamstring injury.

The veteran playmaker starred in the first half, laying on a try and kicking a two-point field goal before finishing off a superb chip-and-chase effort early in the second stanza.

However, Reynolds limped from the field moments later and now faces an uncertain short-term future.

Despite being without Jarome Luai, the Tigers matched Brisbane in an energetic first half, led by young halves Lachlan Galvin and Latu Fainu.

They scored three tries through Luke Laulilii, Sunia Turuva and Starford To’a, but missed all three conversions to trail 14-12 at the break after Xavier Willison’s late try and Reynolds’ long-range field goal.

Ben Hunt sparked the Broncos after the break with a 40/20, before Willison crashed over for his second.

Reynolds’ solo try extended the margin, but his injury opened the door for the Tigers.

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Sione Fainu responded with a barnstorming try to bring it back to 26-18, but Brisbane’s class showed in the final 20 minutes.

Jesse Arthars bagged his second to hit the top of the NRL try-scorer’s list, Billy Walters finished off a Selwyn Cobbo break, and Gehamat Shibasaki capitalised on a Tigers error to ice the result.

Reece Walsh was electric at the back, notching two try assists and slotting two goals in Reynolds’ absence.

The night ended on a sour note for Brisbane with Brendan Piakura stretchered from the field after a heavy head knock.

He was later cleared of serious injury and was seen smiling post-game.

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Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall was upbeat post-match despite the defeat, praising his young spine’s efforts but acknowledging errors under scoreboard pressure proved costly.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire lauded the resilience and composure of his side, especially their second-half response.

He remained optimistic about Reynolds’ hamstring, with the halfback himself saying, “It just tightened up a bit… I’ll get a scan tomorrow, but I’m feeling pretty positive.”

The Broncos now sit atop the NRL table, with the top NRL bookmakers pricing them at $4.50 to win the 2025 Premiership.

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