Brisbane Broncos’ great Corey Parker still believes the 2023 runner ups can challenge for the premiership without skipper Adam Reynolds after the halfback was ruled out for three months.
Reynolds suffered a ruptured bicep in the Broncos' 40-18 loss to the Sydney Roosters which is expected to rule him out for 12-14 weeks, meaning an expected return in Round 21.
Despite all this, Parker believes the Broncos can still compete with the best sides in the competition.
“It’s going to be extremely difficult, but they can still be there absolutely,” Parker said on Mornings with Ben Davis.
“With no Adam Reynolds for an extended period of time… the person who dictates and gives the team where they need to go and what they need to do, it’s going to be difficult. However, they can get the job done.”
Off the back of their heavy loss, Parker outlines how the Roosters took advantage of the sloppy elements that have entered the Broncos’ game over the course of the season.
“I think on Friday night was a really good example of how the Broncos in the last month have been doing things in games that they haven’t been punished for,” Parker said.
“They were 13/13 to start the game, they were terrific… but then there was a real impatience about what they were trying to do… and the Roosters were very good. They were good enough to make them pay.
“They faced some adversity, but I think outside of that, they did get made to pay for some of their costly errors.”
Reynolds wasn’t the only major injury for the Broncos, with winger Jesse Arthars set to miss six weeks after suffering a broken jaw in the same game. Veteran Corey Oates is expected to replace the winger for their clash against the Parramatta Eels on Friday night.
Backup half Jock Madden suffered a pectoral strain against the Wests Tigers two weeks ago with his return date unknown. If he fails to overcome that injury for Friday night, Tristan Sailor looms as the likely replacement.