Adam Reynolds has signed a one-year contract extension with Brisbane, much to the delight of inaugural Broncos captain Wally Lewis who says the veteran half is a "great communicator" in the mould of club legend Allan Langer.
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The 33-year-old skipper and half, who was off-contract at the end of this season after spending two years at the club, is now on deck until the end of 2025 and Lewis said that kept Brisbane's premiership window well and truly open.
"He is a key player, Reynolds," Lewis told AAP.
"It was vital that they kept him because his leadership inspires the younger kids in the team.
"By staying on he has also dangled a carrot in front of himself so that he can go one better and get over last year's grand final loss (to Penrith)."
Lewis, one of the game's greatest leaders, said one integral quality of the Broncos skipper and 2014 title winner with South Sydney stood out.
"I've watched him closely at training and in games where I look and listen for guys who communicate. You can hear Reynolds all the time," Lewis said.
"You can be sitting on the edge of the sideline at a match and you hear him. At training he is constantly communicating and that is one of the strongest points of a player's game.
"It is just priceless and inspires others to perform. It probably inspires the guy doing the talking as well."
It is a quality Lewis admired in his old sparring partner Langer.
"l loved playing with Alf and when he got the role as captain of the Broncos he was a fantastic talker. He used to engage in a pile of discussion on the field. That was invaluable to the team's success," Lewis said.
"Reynolds is similar in that regard. He is at the back-end of his career and that area of his game just increases and increases.
"Reynolds has Alf there (as assistant coach) and I am sure that is a bonus if he needs anything. In his own game he is just showing plenty of confidence."
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said Reynolds had made "a huge impact in a short time here at the Broncos".
"We all know what Reyno brings to our club - he is our leader and our general and he has made," said Walters.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Reyno running out to lead our team and helping bring out the best in our emerging talent, as well as continuing to do those things that only he can do with the ball in hand."
Langer benefited from the guidance of Lewis in his formative years at Brisbane and for Queensland. Gun No.6 Ezra Mam, who recently re-signed long-term, will do the same.
"Ezra is only going to learn more and more playing outside an experienced campaigner like Reynolds," Lewis said.
Lewis said the Broncos had the squad to challenge for a title and would be able to overcome the disappointment of last year's decider.
"They have a bunch of good, determined young men that are certainly targeting wonderful performances week-in week-out with confidence," he said.
"They have competition for spots. They may have surprised everyone with how far they got last year. Now they are going to be even more determined knowing they can compete in big games."
Australian Associated Press
