Brisbane is beginning to take a look at life after Adam Reynolds because the champion halfback nears the top of his NRL profession.
The 2014 premiership winner is contracted for 2025 however is at present lengthy odds to signal one other deal within the NRL past that.
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It means the Broncos want a brand new No.7 – and in the meanwhile there is no such thing as a reply staring the Pink Hill membership within the face.
Reynolds informed Vast Vast of Sports activities throughout pre-season he thought Ezra Mam had the flexibility to transition into a high quality halfback and doubtlessly substitute him within the jersey.
However coach Kevin Walters did not put Mam within the No.7 jumper as soon as in 2024, regardless of having the right alternative when Reynolds spent almost three months sidelined by harm.
Legendary five-eighth turned Broncos director Darren Lockyer admits Mam would not strike him as a pure halfback.
“Not within the quick time period,” Lockyer informed Vast World of Sports activities’ QLDER.
“I feel Ezra may be very a lot a participant that performs what’s in entrance of him, he isn’t an organising participant.
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“I feel (Panthers playmaker) Jarome Luai this yr, when he needed to go to seven he was actually spectacular. However he is bought a number of extra years’ expertise beneath his belt (than Mam).
“I feel Ezra possibly in the long run is an choice, however within the quick time period no.”
The lack of Mam to step up leaves Brisbane with a obtrusive challenge heading into 2025.
There’s been ongoing hypothesis the membership will attempt to carry Sam Walker again to Queensland.
Walker, 22, is within the midst of contract negotiations with the Roosters however rumours recommend he’ll need as a lot as $1.5 million a season within the coming years. Kalyn Ponga is at present the NRL’s highest earner and pockets about $1.4m a yr from Newcastle.
Walker is essentially the most promising younger halfback within the league and is taken into account subsequent in line to Daly Cherry-Evans’ Queensland jumper.
And whereas the Broncos would little question like to carry him residence, Lockyer concedes the membership will not be capable to.
“Sam’s a high quality participant, and I really feel just like the Roosters with out Sam cannot win the premiership,” Lockyer mentioned.
“He is getting higher with yearly and each sport of expertise.
“The wage cap most likely restricts you from bringing somebody like that to the membership in the meanwhile, as a result of he is demanding huge cash.
“He is already bought a good provide on the desk from the Roosters, though it is properly under what he is asking.
“The Broncos in the meanwhile wouldn’t be out there, couldn’t afford that sort of participant.”
Reynolds’ exit on the finish of subsequent yr will not liberate some huge cash given he accepted a big pay lower to re-sign with the Broncos for 2025.
And with weapons like Reece Walsh and Payne Haas already on huge {dollars}, the membership will discover it robust to splash the money on bringing one other famous person into the fold any time quickly.
Lockyer says the Reynolds succession plan will seemingly fall to a younger gun who will nonetheless solely be 19 subsequent yr.
“The backbone long run, I feel there’s a few gamers there… there is a younger child referred to as Coby Black coming by means of, he is been fairly spectacular in Q Cup,” Lockyer mentioned.
“He can have one other yr beneath his belt whereas Adam’s there, and he is studying from Adam.
“I feel there’s choices there, however you do not substitute Adam in a single day. It is going to take time.”