Reynolds urged to 'put ego aside' as Broncos reshuffle looms

Michael Maguire will have some huge calls to make heading into Brisbane's prelim final, with the looming return of two stars set to create some selection headaches.

After a dramatic golden-point win over the Raiders in the first week of the finals, the Broncos earned a week off and will now be boosted by the return of Adam Reynolds.

The skipper has been sidelined for over a month with a hamstring injury and while there had been calls for him to return via the bench, it appears that Reynolds will slot straight back into his usual No.7 jumper for the clash with either the Panthers or Bulldogs next Sunday.

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Reynolds could potentially partner Ben Hunt, who would shift to five-eighth in place of Billy Walters after the utility suffered an ACL injury that will require surgery.

However, reports also indicate that Ezra Mam is in line for an early comeback from his own hamstring injury, which would further complicate matters for Maguire.

Speaking on Wide World of Sports' QLDER, club legend Darren Lockyer suggested Mam could be used off the bench if he is proved fit and Reynolds would start at halfback.

"I've got no inside information here and just analysing this like a fan," he said.

"The option might be that if Ezra's capable, you put him on the bench. When you're ready to bring him into the game, you bring Hunt into hooker.

"You can't put a lot of these players that haven't played for a while in cold. The logical [choice] is to bring in Reynolds and he will go back to taking control of the team."

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While the halves debate will no doubt rage on until the final teams are announced one hour before kick off on September 28, there is another element that will need to be addressed by Maguire and his coaching staff if the Broncos are to win a premiership.

During the absence of Reynolds and Mam due to their hamstring injuries, star fullback Reece Walsh has taken his game to another level and stepped up in responsibility.

The 23-year-old was at his magnificent best against Canberra and has shone without the club's first-choice halves in Reynolds and Mam getting their hands on the ball.

While few could argue against Reynolds coming back in, Braith Anasta admitted that the veteran playmaker would need to alter his usual game to allow Walsh to flourish.

"I'd bring Reyno straight back in," he said on BTFU's 180 podcast.

"Reyno is smart enough and experienced enough to know that he needs Reece to be playing like Reece at the moment and not get in the way.

"I think he can free him up and still stick to the game plan and take a step back from what he'd usually do. Reyno is too good to not realise that.

"Reyno has got to put his ego aside, that's what I'm saying and I think he will.

"I've been saying it all year with every half - it's not always about your performance, it's the guys around you and how good you make them."

Bulldogs premiership winner Reni Maitua believes the absence of the 35-year-old has been a "silver lining" for Walsh as he cements himself as one of the game's elite players.

"It's unlocked Reece and he's believed in his ability," Maitua said.

"It's unfortunate that Reyno had to get injured, but Reyno has probably looked within and said 'I don't need to do as much, I just need to get him the ball'.

"That's the only silver lining I see in him doing a hamstring but he has to come straight back in [for the prelim final]."

Brisbane will also be boosted by the return of prop Xavier Willison from a broken arm, which will offset the loss of Patrick Carrigan due to a one-game suspension.

Brendan Piakura also looks set to be cleared for the grand final qualifier despite a suspected facial fracture suffered against the Raiders.

Broncos potential prelim final team

1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Ezra Mam 15. Xavier Willison 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt