Cooper Cronk jetted in to Storm training to give makeshift playmaker Nick Meaney a boost leading into Saturday’s Round 1 danger game against the Wests Tigers.
Melbourne are without Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Chris Lewis and Tui Kamikamica due to suspensions while Munster’s back-up five-eighth Cooper Johns is also out with a shoulder complaint.
Meaney, who has played on the wing and fullback in his 65-game NRL career at Newcastle and Canterbury, will make his Storm debut in the No.6 jersey alongside Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes.
The 24-year-old said he had not played in the halves since high school.
He spent the pre-season training at fullback with Ryan Papenhuyzen in doubt for the season opener with an ankle injury however the gun No.1 has trained strongly this week.
“When Cooper [Johns] did his shoulder the conversation came up about me going to the halves,” Meaney said on Wednesday. “I’ve spent about two weeks there … I’m still adapting to the system we have here at the Storm. Defensively I feel really comfortable but I’m still learning the combinations with the players around me.
Cronk played 14 seasons with Melbourne before switching to the Sydney Roosters and winning premierships in 2018 and 2019.
While he’s on the Roosters books as an assistant, the former Queensland and Test half still works as a consultant with the Storm and stepped in to help Meaney with his attack.
“We’ve had Cooper Cronk in this week helping and it was really good to get inside of how he thinks, his approach to it, his little mindset when he’s attacking the line,” Meaney said.
“It’s been really helpful to myself.
“Being a fullback, I’d like to think my running game is probably my strongest suit but I’ve got guys around me who are quite handy – Kenny Bromwich and Juzzy (Justin Olam) and Xavier (Coates) on the edge so getting the ball to those guys is important to let them do their thing. “A gold balance of both will help me fit in nicely.”
Adam Reynolds poses during the launch of the Brisbane Broncos 2022 NRL Season jersey. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Reynolds not worth COVID risk: Walters
Broncos coach Kevin Walters said it was not worth the risk of rushing Adam Reynolds back for Friday night’s season opener against the star recruit’s old club South Sydney.
Reynolds, who contracted COVID-19 last week, could have been selected after he passed the return-to-play protocols but Brisbane did not want him playing in Round 1 with such a poor preparation.
Walters has selected his son Billy and veteran Albert Kelly as his halves for the showdown with Souths and whichever player shines on Friday is likely to partner Reynolds in Round 2 when they head to Sydney for a clash with Canterbury.
“We back our club’s medical advice 100 per cent and that advice is that asking Adam to play is too much of a risk to his health so soon after being diagnosed with COVID,” he said.
“At the end of the day, this is just one game – a big game, yes, but just one game in a Broncos career that will see Adam play many great games for our club.”
Walters is not bothered by claims of nepotism after selecting his son ahead of Tyson Gamble, who played 13 matches last season, for the five-eighth’s role.
The 28-year-old playmaker has turned out in only 12 NRL games in his career at Melbourne and the Wests Tigers and has battled a series of serious injuries in recent seasons.
“We just need Bill to go out there and play the football I know he’s capable of. We’ve got a lot of faith in Billy, especially his defence,” he said.
“As long as he gets his defence right he’ll have his work cut out for him on that left-hand side for the Broncs. If he can get that right, and I’m sure he will, he’ll be in for a big performance, and a proud performance, as well.”
CHT keen to impress rival CEOs
Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita is on the lookout for a new club with the Dolphins a potential option for the talented 22-year-old.
Harris-Tavita, who will fill in for the suspended Reece Walsh at fullback in Round 1 against the Dragons on Saturday, is on the outer at the club with Shaun Johnson and Kodi Nikorima chosen as the starting halves.
“I couldn’t answer that (where I’ll be playing in 2023) myself,” Harris-Tavita said on SENZ Mornings. “Obviously, it’s something I need to consider moving forward, but for now my focus is on this season. “I reckon if I play my best footy and reach my potential as a player, I think that contract talk will take care of itself.”
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The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m still struggling from about three weeks ago. Fatigued, headaches and shortness of breath…
Albo
Roar Rookie
Strewth ! I've struggled to do cardio for about 20 years ! I must have something pretty bad ? :silly:
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
Reynolds out, saves him from the total embarrassment of a first game , first round thrashing But that will be the first of many this season , i feel sorry for this talent
Rellum
Roar Guru
Based on the trail form, yes Oates is a better winger
Larry1950
Guest
This seems to be your Groundhog Day theme & gets a bit tiring popping up on every thread where Souths or Brisbane get a mention. If you’ve got nothing worthwhile to contribute just read the articles & don’t reply or wrack your brain to make a positive contribution on something. Season hasn’t even kicked off & you’ve managed to become boring. I’m fairly sure Reynolds isn’t seeking out your real identity for career advice, he seems to have done ok without it thus far.
matth
Roar Guru
Herbie would have been a decent option for fullback with Lee in the centres too.
matth
Roar Guru
Promise? :silly:
Rellum
Roar Guru
I thought Tyson Gamble was out of Round 1 due to Covid, is that not the case? If Walters was picked over him that is a joke. Kevie is losing me rapidly if he picked his kid over Gamble for round 1.
Malo
Guest
Yeah Reynolds did not want to be humiliated on home turf. He’s taken his super and is retirement mode.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I actually think it will be interesting to see how the Ponies go without Reynolds. I'm a Broncos member, but I feel I'm having deja vu all over again. It seemed to me that the club thought that Milford would be the panacea for its problems and would win matches pretty much on his own. And they might be doing the same thing again with Reynolds without much depth for his position. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Larry1950
Guest
Despite all the hype, if you forget the name of the clubs then who would expect the 2021 14th finisher to get within cooee of the tight 2021 GF loser when they have virtually the same personnel as last year with the addition of a 27 year old back rower. Key roles being held by rookies at Souths might help the broncs to stay in the game but can’t see the firepower to score aside from Staggs. Think most sensible fans will chalk this up as a loss & hope Reynolds gets better soon. I’m optimistic Reynolds will improve their game management when fit but their trial against the cowboys indicated they’ve gone nowhere yet without him on the field. I agree with Andrew that Oates is more than lucky & the sooner they look elsewhere the better because he’s got to be the slowest winger going around in the NRL. I think they’ll regret giving Isaako first shot at fullback, he’s going to Reddy next year & is just holding back Cobbo from gaining experience at fullback which would be invaluable for later in the season. Are the broncs sucking up to Farnworth playing him at centre to convince him not to bail to the Dolphins? Lee at centre & Herbie on the left wing would have been better because Farnworth hasn’t yet developed his passing game & dies with the ball to often. Anyway, it’s the Rabbitohs game to lose from what I can see.
Womblat
Guest
I think the latter. The silence is deafening, too. And I reckon the lack of interest about it makes me think it's a bullet-proof excuse that is unverifiable, unquestionable and will be used extensively for any reason anyone wants.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Beat me saying it Andrew01. Lol
no one in particular
Roar Guru
maybe, but I had omicron. While it was a pretty bad cold for about a week I struggled to do cardio for about the next 10 days. Some, not all, have experienced the same thing
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Oh if Souths lose there will be excuses. Generally starts with the guy on the ground with the shirt that doesn't match the other 26 guys.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Is that an Adam Reynolds injury or an Adam Reynolds "injury"...? :silly:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I think Kevvie was forced to second guess himself in trying to avoid the appearance of nepotism. The poor kid has to work twice as hard as everyone else for his father to justify his place in the team. Hardly seems fair.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Even so, I think Souths were silly not to offer both Reynolds and Walker two-year extensions instead of only 12 months. Big mistake! Along with the Panthers they had the best halves combination in the NRL.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'm just happy Souths aren't playing one of last year's top 6 teams in round 1. They have one week to blow off the cob webbs and get Latrell to grow up ahead of the Storm in round 2.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Last time they played at Suncorp it was 46-0.. before that 35 to pittance. Huge ask for Billy and Alby on the current best 6 in the rugby league world.. and a team still hurting from a GF loss. Kevvie doesn’t further help himself putting Selwyn on the wing with a clumsy fullback as his last line (unless THATS the smokescreen).