Adam Reynolds is confident he will be cleared to line up in Brisbane’s qualification final with Canberra as Raiders captain Joe Tapine looks to put a fresh target on Broncos poster boy Reece Walsh.
Canberra, who are dealing with a fresh injury scare to Josh Papalii on Monday, have made their intentions known on how they want to handle Brisbane’s No.1.
The Raiders pack have previous history with Walsh, with Green Machine prop Tapine smashing the flyweight fullback late in a game in 2023.
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Walsh was trying to kill time and feigned injury but Tapine spared no prisoners as he blindsided the Broncos star with a bell-ringer to spark an all-in melee.
“It was just a little tackle … I hope I get the same opportunity,” Tapine grinned.
“He’s quick and hard to get but for us to win, it’s about us playing our game.”
Reynolds said Walsh would not be daunted by any of Canberra’s intimidation tactics.
“I think we all have a laugh at that (Tapine shot), you’ve got to love that,” Reynolds said.
“He (Walsh is) certainly tough. It’s hard to not be tough and get away with it.
“He certainly takes the game on. He’s not afraid of the collisions, and is willing to go to places that many others aren’t.”
Reynolds has been sidelined for the last month but was bullish that he will return for Sunday’s trip to Canberra to bolster Brisbane’s premiership push.
The Broncos won four straight games heading into the finals to finish fourth with veteran teammate Ben Hunt ably deputising as Brisbane’s No. 7 in the absence of Reynolds.
“I’m feeling good, feeling well and had a good session on Saturday,” Reynolds told AAP.
“I pulled through that fine and I’ve still got a few boxes to tick, but I’m confident I’ll get back out there.
“I got to 95 per cent — close enough to my top speed which isn’t very fast.
“We’ve got a good team there at the Broncos who obviously measure all that.
“The medical staff are very diligent around their planning and reintroducing me into teamwork.
“We’ll tick that box on Tuesday and fingers crossed we’ll get through that and can get back into the group.”
In Canberra, Papalii is in serious doubt for the Raiders’ qualifying final against Brisbane after suffering an ankle at training.
The prop forward was placed in moon boot after rolling his ankle on Monday and will be monitored ahead of the minor premiers’ first finals game at GIO Stadium on Sunday.
Papalii is expected to be named in the team on Tuesday but the Raiders will not take any risks with the 33-year-old given they have the double chance in finals and plenty of forward depth.
But it would be devastating for the Raiders to lose their spiritual leader from their push for a first premiership since 1994, with the veteran still unsigned beyond this year.
- with Jasper Bruce
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