Legends back left-field fix to looming Broncos headache

Legends back left-field fix to looming Broncos headache

Wally Lewis has backed a left-field solution to the looming dilemma at the Broncos, with halfback and captain Adam Reynolds expected back from injury soon.

Reynolds - along with Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo - all went down with hamstring injuries in Brisbane's round 23 loss against the Storm and haven't played since.

During the star trio's absence, the Broncos have gone on to record four-straight wins and lock in a top-four sport, scoring 152 points across the month-long span.

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The skipper hasn't been named for Sunday's qualifying final against Canberra, but is expected to be fit in time for a week two semi or week three preliminary final. 

However, during Nine's Sunday Footy Show, Billy Slater raised the question whether the Broncos could ease the 35-year-old back into things.

"I wouldn't change their key positions on the field to start," Slater said.

"If Adam Reynolds comes back and he's 100 per cent, I'd put him on the bench.

"You've got Billy Walters who can start. Then if need be, you can put him at dummy-half.

"I think the option to have Adam Reynolds on the bench - a little bit like how Wayne Bennett is using Cody Walker - that could be the way forward."

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The idea to solve the selection headache that will face Michael Magurie soon was put forward to Lewis during Wide World of Sports' QLDER and the Maroons icon admitted it was definitely a chance of happening.

"That's probably not a bad idea," he said.

"I think the coach will think about it for a long time and have many options available. The more he keeps it to himself and doesn't reveal what his plans are, the better.

"The less you tell them, the better your chances are." 

Nine commentator Peter Psaltis echoed those sentiments, explaining that the pairing between Ben Hunt and Billy Walters in the halves was a flexible one.

"I think you go with that suggestion," he said.

"You can't afford to change now what Ben Hunt and Billy Walters are doing.Billy Walters and Ben Hunt will play in the halves for the Broncos.

"If there is an injury or they need someone to shift somewhere, you know that Ben Hunt or Billy Walters can play a floating type of role and Reyno can come off the bench.

"For mine, I don't go changing anything - they just scored 30 points against a Craig Bellamy-coached team."

Walters has received plenty of praise for his efforts over the past month, seamlessly slotting into the No.6 jumper after spending most of the year on the bench or at hooker.

"He's a competitor - I don't think he gets the credit that's due," Lewis said.

While the possible return of Reynolds next week creates one headache, things will get very interesting at Red Hill once five-eighth Mam is back on deck.

It could see Maguire forced to try and fit five players - Mam, Reynolds, Hunt, Walters and Cory Paix - into three starting roles, with one of them likely to miss out on the 17 entirely.Reece Walsh could be League's next GENERATIONAL talent: QLDER - Ep 25