Adam Reynolds reflects on tough start to his career on the eve of 250th game

Adam Reynolds has revealed how the tough start to his career has benefited him throughout his journey in the NRL as he will lace up his boots for his 250th appearance.

“I had a knee reconstruction out [the Under] 20 and kind of thought the dream was over,” Reynolds admitted.

Reynolds, a talented youngster coming through the classes, suffered the double whammy of losing an U20 grand final and suffering a cruciate ligament injury before getting a taste of first class action.

The halfback now sees those early setbacks, particularly the injury he sustained, as a key reason he has become the player he is today.

“I started out in the gym with Michael Crocker and Roy Asotasi and learned the professionalism of the sport,” Reynolds said.

“So it was probably a blessing in disguise when I needed to build myself up a bit. I was just a little man back then.”

The No7 made his debut for his boyhood club South Sydney over a decade ago – an opening round clash with the Roosters that the Bunnies ended up losing.

“Not great memories from that night – rang the bell by Roosters,” Reynolds recalled.

“But a lot of great memories since then.”

Michael Maguire was the Souths coach at the time and gave Reynolds his NRL debut.

“I had a really tough preseason under Madge and was lucky enough to get the opportunity to play first grade and that’s a memory I’ll cherish forever,” he said.

His biggest achievement in the game to date has been his role in winning South Sydney’s Premiership in 2014, breaking the drought. The win over Canterbury that night which engraved his name and that of his other team-mates into club folklore.

In the end, the fan favorite played 231 games for the Rabbitohs. But he went under a cloud last year when the club refused to offer him more than a one-year contract, putting an end to his storied time at Redfern.

“Getting here wasn’t easy, but it forms the character that defines you,” Reynolds said.

Despite hitting the 250-game milestone, Reynolds is firmly focused on his opponent Parramatta on Thursday night.

After a six-day turnaround and with Canberra breathing down the ladder, Brisbane go into the match under immense pressure.

The Broncos know they simply have to win at least one of their remaining two games to maintain their top-eight position.

“It’s about getting back on the horse and moving on,” Reynolds said after his side were comprehensively beaten by the Storm on lap 23.

“Parramatta have a good side and are in great form… It’s a big game for both clubs and it’s probably a final that comes early.

“[We’ve got to] just keep believing. Believe in the system and believe in the structures.

“We got where we are for a reason. We prepared really well and showed up in matches and got some results. This doesn’t just go away overnight.

“A bad performance doesn’t justify who we are as a club.”

The kind of leadership Reynolds often displays on and off the field led to the Broncos pushing the boat out to sign the veteran on a long-term contract.

The little halfback has repaid that trust as he has been a key factor in the club’s tremendous improvement this season. They’ve climbed the ladder while playing some kind of exciting, offensive footy that has garnered them a lot of praise.

Reynolds is enjoying his most productive year to date, having registered 19 attempt submissions and six attempts in just 18 missions.

“Last week was just a hiccup in our performance,” Reynolds explained.

“It’s about constantly holding each other accountable in games and training. If we do that, we will get better.”