Adam Reynolds masterminds Brisbane Broncos’ 26-16 triumph over North Queensland Cowboys

Ben Hunt is also signed for next year, while the suspended Ezra Mam still waits in the wings, ensuring a Reynolds’ retention would create a serious logjam.

But Reynolds proved he was far from finished; a try, a try assist, linebreak, linebreak assist, two forced drop-outs and 29 tackles for no misses completing his resume.

“That’ll sort itself out, the future. I’m enjoying myself, I’ve got a great team around me, my preparation is spot on week in, week out. I’ve got to keep doing my job, I can’t slack off, I’ve got a role to play here. As long as I’m doing that and having fun the future will look after itself.”

Adam Reynolds

Haas the destroyer, but wounded veteran proves he still has life

For all the talk Jason Taumalolo was on the decline, he refused to show it.

Eyebrows were raised when the Tongan skipper made his return from a foot injury suffered in the Pacific Championships via the Queensland Cup – lining up for the Mackay Cutters as his Cowboys were humbled by Cronulla.

But the 31-year-old was parachuted into the starting pack, and it was his strong carries – finishing with 149 running metres – which gave North Queensland the early ascendancy.

“I thought he was really good, he looked strong. I spoke to him after the game, and he said his lungs were burning pretty early, but he kept pushing through. He’ll be much better next week and the week after from here.”

Todd Payten on Jason Taumalolo

Across the opening quarter, 84 per cent of the territory was in the Cowboys’ favour. Yet, it took a fortuitous re-gather from a bomb early in the second half for them to get on the scoreboard.

Call it poor attack from the Cowboys or strong defence from the Broncos; either way, it opened the doors for Payne Haas to shine.

The Broncos superstar’s exclamation mark on the contest sealed the Carl Webb Medal, stepping back on the inside and bursting past Reuben Cotter to score untouched and end the contest.

By full-time, Haas had a try, 205 running metres, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, nine tackle busts and five offloads to his name.

The case has been settled: he is the finest prop in the game.

“I think that was reflective of the forward pack working together. They had to really fight at stages through the game, and then when you’ve got someone like Payne you know he’s got that in him.”

Michael Maguire on Payne Haas

Walsh’s errors mount up

When he first burst onto the Broncos’ scene, Reece Walsh’s mistakes were offset by the remarkable things he could do with the ball.

But if he cannot eradicate the errors in his game, the Broncos could face some rude awakenings against the heavyweights of the competition.

Five knock ons and two penalties, including being placed on report, compounded Walsh’s night, which could have been made to look worse had it not been for a lacklustre Cowboys’ attack.

There were some moments of magic – a 65 metre 40/20 in the lead up to Brisbane’s first try, and a pinpoint cutout pass for Arthars to score – but the hot and cold nature of his game remains a serious work in progress.

“We know what he can bring to the team, and every now and then a player goes through a little bit of that. I’ve had players who go through little periods in their careers, and that actually helps define who you are and makes you a better player.”

Michael Maguire on Reece Walsh

How Cowboys’ plight will impact Origin

It may still be early days, but none of the five Cowboys who took to the State of Origin arena last year could consider themselves certainties to take to that stage again.

While Tom Dearden has been unable to fire behind a beaten forward pack, Cameron Munster has been in remarkable touch for Melbourne, while Taulagi only just scored his first try of the season and had been tackling at 72 per cent efficiency before this clash.

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In contrast, Selwyn Cobbo has been on fire for the Broncos, his 149 running metres and three tackle busts following his four tries and 11 tackle busts across the opening two rounds.

Jeremiah Nanai has already suffered the axe this year, and even Blues hooker Reece Robson has been a shadow of the man who Sydney were determined to sign from 2026, his 27 running metres a game so far his worst since his two-game debut season for the Dragons in 2018.

For Queensland to succeed, they need its NRL clubs firing.