Former NRL coach Michael Hagan, who worked alongside Immortal Andrew Johns at the Newcastle Knights and won a premiership there in 2001, has likened Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds to the great former halfback.

Writing for theroar.com.au, Hagan was full of praise for Reynolds and the way he worked with the Brisbane engine room.

“One of Joey Johns’ many great strengths was he was never shy about demanding more from his forwards, whether that was an extra hit-up or a quicker play-the-ball and Adam Reynolds does the same thing for this Broncos side,” Hagan wrote following Brisbane’s big win over fellow powerhouse South Sydney on the Sunshine Coast.

“Reynolds has probably had conversations with them about how important it is for them to set the standards and they had the Rabbitohs constantly backpedalling.

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Round 21: 2003 Beetson Raudonikis Medal

“And then when they’ve got that momentum, Reynolds directs the ball out wide to Brisbane’s quicker guys. He’s got the option of Herbie Farnworth or Kotoni Staggs on either edge and Reece Walsh popping up all over the place with his acceleration into space.

“They have come through the Origin period fairly well and the squad seems pretty healthy.

“It’s a pretty potent formula they’ve got going at the moment.”

The Broncos currently sit equal first with the Panthers.