The 2025 NRL season captain has been announced by the new coach.
Gorden Tallis wants to keep Adam Reynolds as the captain, but Michael Maguire has rejected requests to switch the Brisbane Broncos’ leader. Calls for Reynolds to be fired as captain in favour of Patrick Carrigan had been spearheaded by Broncos great Tallis, and it was believed that a switch from Kevin Walters to Maguire as coach may bring about the move.
It appeared that Maguire, who has been actively improving the NRL team’s culture and mentality, may promote Carrigan to captain in order to officially usher in his new era. However, the Broncos revealed Thursday afternoon that Reynolds will remain the team’s captain in 2025, which is likely to be his final season before retiring.
Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, and Kotoni Staggs will form a new leadership group, the club also stated. Reynolds will surely miss several games due to injury over the season, and Carrigan, Hunt, and Haas will occasionally be away on State of Origin duty.
After Maguire gave him his debut at South Sydney in 2012, Reynolds has been captain since joining the Broncos in 2022 and called it a “full circle” occasion. Reynolds remarked, “I feel like it’s gone full circle with Madge,” Thursday. He clearly handed me my first jersey, and even though I’ve become a little older, he still believes in me. Hunty’s addition to our already impressive collection of senior players is significant.
Michael Maguire commends Adam Reynolds’ ability to lead.
“I’ve always said that Reyno is a leader, and it’s very clear to me that this group of players really enjoy playing with him, but importantly, for him,” Maguire stated when he gave an explanation for his choice to keep Reynolds. I’ve known Reyno for a long time, and I’m proud of his journey. I also know how eager he is to continue taking the lead.
“I’ve had the chance to observe the team’s leadership styles over the last few months, and I’m sure that this group has the proper parts of the puzzle. Special teams are created because each member contributes something unique to the table in terms of how they conduct their business.
“From the youngest to the oldest, everyone in this group should be a leader by our daily acts and behaviours. That must be the way we think going forward.
Gorden Tallis had demanded a change in the Brisbane Broncos’ captain.
Tallis stated last year that Carrigan ought to be captain, which prompted Maguire to make this decision. “I think the team is lacking leadership,” Tallis stated following a terrible showing against the Bulldogs at home. I keep a careful eye on them; on Saturday, someone has to take a position and stake a stake.
“(Reynolds) failed to do it, and he failed to bring them home in the 2023 grand final as well. There may be an opportunity to insert Pat Carrigan if he is the captain and isn’t performing. They appointed me captain after Allan Langer left to go to England, so it’s about putting your ego in your pocket. Alf was the captain once more when he returned, but he said, “No, you are our leader.”
“If I’m playing with Allan Langer in that weekend’s game, he goes out from dummy-half, makes three or four consecutive tackles, stares at us, and confronts us while under the influence. None of that is taking place right now. Perhaps the individual who receives the C next to their name should have their name changed.
Tallis also took issue with Reynolds’ choice to replace Billy Walters in a weekly radio stint with Triple M radio in Brisbane, which Walters had boycotted because of offensive remarks against his father and coach, Kevin. According to Tallis, Reynolds ought to have boycotted in support of Billy and Kevin.
NRL supporters disagree with the Brisbane Broncos’ choice for captain.
The Broncos captaincy dilemma has been a contentious one, as evidenced by a survey of Yahoo Sport Australia readers. According to a survey of more than 60,000 readers, Reynolds and Carrigan share 41% of the vote. Some disagreed, citing Reynolds’ elderly body and propensity to miss games over the season, while many applauded Thursday’s decision to keep the halfback as captain.
Both cricket veteran Ian Healy and Broncos great Corey Parker stated on SEN radio on Friday morning that they had “no issue” with Reynolds continuing to be captain. “There will be many occasions throughout the year when Patty Carrigan is the captain,” Healy stated. Reynolds will not participate in all 26 games. He might play 15 games, and I believe that’s when they should start considering how to manage him as well.”
Carrigan was promoted to captain “way too early” prior to Reynolds joining the team, according to Parker. However, Parker stated that Carrigan will eventually become a fantastic captain.
