As he nears his much-anticipated debut for Brisbane, Adam Reynolds says the challenge of moving to the Broncos has ignited new passion in his NRL career.
The Broncos clash with Canterbury in Sydney on Sunday will be the first time in Reynolds' 231-game first grade career he hasn't run onto the field in a South Sydney jersey.
While he admits it may take a moment to get used to being decked out in Broncos' maroon and gold rather than the Rabbitohs' cardinal and myrtle, the 31-year-old is entering the 2022 season with a level of excitement and enthusiasm.
"Coming here it's been a fresh start. It's been good mentally and physically," Reynolds said.
"Emotionally I've been probably the best I've been in a long time.
"It's going to be exciting obviously running out there but as soon as the whistle goes, footy head's back on and I've got a job to do."
Reynolds missed Brisbane's impressive round one triumph over his former club due to COVID-19 but says he's fit and firing to face the Bulldogs.
Having been named captain without once playing for the club and with expectation high he can be the man to restore past glories to Red Hill, all eyes will certainly be on Reynolds.
The man himself though says while he's starting a new chapter in his career, the responsibility and expectation is no different than when he was at Redfern.
"It's about turning up and doing my job. I've done that for 11 years in the NRL now and nothing's going to change," he said.
"I've just got to turn up, do my job, and make sure I do it well.
"My job as a No.7 is to lead the boys around the park, play some footy and make sure my 'D' is strong.
"It's a pretty simple game when you break it down like that."
The game will also be Tevita Pangai Jnr's first for the Bulldogs after missing round one with a hamstring injury.
The ex-Bronco has made a habit of targeting opposition halves and will be fired up to spoil his former club's day but Reynolds again has seen it all before.
"It's no different," Reynolds said.
"He's been terrorising me ever since he came into the NRL."
