Magic Round: Adam Reynolds shines for Broncos while ‘stuck record’ Trent Barrett rues Bulldogs errors
Inspired by Adam Reynolds once again the Brisbane Broncos smashed Manly at Suncorp Stadium, while Newcastle snapped their losing streak with a battling win over fellow strugglers Canterbury.
Over 40,000 supporters packed in to Suncorp for the opening night of the Magic Round. And they were treated to another Reynolds masterclass. The former South Sydney star scored a try and assisted in two more as the Broncos ran out 38-0 winners.
Selwyn Cobbo continued his fine run of form with a hat-trick. But it was Reynolds that took most of the plaudits once again. Coach Kevin Walters highlighting his kicking game in particular.
Adam Reynolds runs the show
Rabbitohs fans will be wondering why Reynolds was allowed to leave. The decision not to offer him more than a one-year extension looks a bad one.
“I don’t want to embarrass Adam too much but for the last few years we haven’t been able to finish our sets off the way we would like to for different reasons,” Walters said. “And he is one of the best kickers in the game so that really helps your defence. Where you turn the ball over and how you turn the ball over.
“I think you saw in the first 20 minutes of the game tonight his influence over where we turned the ball over. It has got a big say on things.”
Just 12 months ago the boot was on the other foot. Manly ran out 50-6 winners. Sea Eagles ace Tom Trbojevic was struggling with a heavily strapped knee. However coach Des Hasler refused to use that as an excuse.
“Tom is getting back and he’s obviously still not quite there,” Hasler said. “He won’t use that as an excuse, we were just off tonight. He hasn’t (aggravated his injury) at all. I can categorically say he is OK.”
Meanwhile in a must-win game for both sides, the Knights beat the Bulldogs 16-6.
Trent Barrett demands Bulldogs step up
Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett was again left to rue too many errors that cost his side. They made 13 errors and missed 24 tackles. The 66percent completion rate was also alarming. And Barrett has called for his players to raise their game.
“Until we learn to cut out those individual errors that we’re making, build pressure and come up with the right kick at the right time,” he told reporters after the game. “I sound like a broken record with the press conferences because it’s the same every week. It’s not good enough.”
The Knights were not great and only secured the win at the death. Adam Clune was allowed to score the easiest of tries, much to the relief of coach Adam O’Brien.
“We needed to win, how it looked in terms of attack didn’t matter to me,” he said. “I just wanted to see that defensive resolve which we showed. It was an important game for us and that showed in our defensive actions.”