Adam Reynolds will need to survive a training session on Monday to be any chance of taking the field for a deserved Suncorp Stadium farewell.
Just the second captain in 20 years to lead the Broncos to premiership glory, Reynolds said he had no regrets about playing on this year, despite injury and a concussion limiting him to just 14 games.
Reynolds has been struggling with nerve pain in his left calf for most of the season, then suffered a slight strain in his right calf at training a couple of weeks ago.
The 36-year-old said even if he was not cleared to play against the Storm on Thursday night – Brisbane’s final home game – he was happy with his achievements at the club.
“I’m hopeful of playing, but I’ll need to get through Monday,” he said. “I thought I was no chance of playing a week ago, but I ran on Friday and felt pretty good, even though it was nothing at high intensity.
“If I’m not right to go, then I’m not right to play. I don’t know how it will play out. I could even find myself coming off the bench.
“The left calf has given me dramas most of the year because of the nerve, and the session I did my right I was actually feeling pretty good.
“The year hasn’t worked out like I had hoped for myself and the club.
“There are no regrets about playing on. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
“I’d love to go around again, to be honest, but it won’t happen with where I’m at in my career. It’s easy to say I should have finished up at the end of last year, but there was that opportunity go back to back and do something special. That doesn’t come around too often in your NRL career.
“If there is one thing we’ve learned this year, it’s knowing what is required to be at the top level week in week out, and the processes you need to get right in the pre-season and the early parts of the year.”
Prop Payne Haas will also play his final game at home before linking with South Sydney next year.
Reynolds backed Michael Maguire to remain the long-term coach at Red Hill.
“There’s always noise around ‘Madge’ – [but] he sticks to his guns, he’s got the results, and he’s a winner,” Reynolds said.
“We’ve had injuries and suspensions and inconsistent games – none of that is down to the preparation and input Madge has over the playing group. We just haven’t lived up to our potential.”
Should Reynolds fail to play his first game since round 22, he will push hard for the final round against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium, the Sydney Olympic Park venue where he has already enjoyed plenty of wonderful memories, including the Broncos’ 2025 grand final win over the Storm, and the 2014 drought-breaking title with South Sydney.
Reynolds will move into coaching the halves and working in the Broncos’ pathways next year.
The popular halfback backed Penrith to go all the way because of their big-game experience, including fullback Dylan Edwards who has looked better with each outing after a brief time out with a shoulder injury.
Speaking of the Panthers, Mitch Kenny (ankle and foot) remains an outside chance of returning against the Bulldogs on Friday, but is more likely to be back the following week against Wests Tigers.