The defending premiers are away to the Storm for the grand final rematch on Friday night after losing their opening two matches of the season 26-0 to Penrith and 40-32 to Parramatta.
Defensive frailties came to the fore, most notably down their left edge against the Eels. Brisbane's trademark ability to come back from deficits, so crucial in 2025's title triumph, has also deserted them.
The Broncos had a lengthy strength and conditioning session at the start of their training on Monday and also completed more work in the gym than they usually would before taking the field.
"The (fitness) session today was based off the fact that we prided ourselves last year on hard work," prop Corey Jensen said.
"We have to get back to doing the tough stuff to get ourselves out of the start we've had. Everyone ripped in today."
Reynolds was one of them. He suffered rib cartilage damage in the loss to the Eels and is a 50/50 chance of playing the Storm. The playmaker wore strapping under his jersey and took the ball into the line in drills, but a tougher workout awaits on Tuesday.
"Reyno is giving himself every chance and trained the majority of the session," Jensen said.
"Hopefully he gets through most of tomorrow and he will play.The call will be on him."
The Broncos lost Reynolds, Ezra Mam and former outside back Selwyn Cobbo to hamstring injuries in last year's loss at AAMI Park.
After that debacle the club decided that in future they would not fly to Melbourne a day before a game. Instead, the team will leave Brisbane on Wednesday and have their captain's run on Thursday.
The "extra rest" would be a benefit, Jensen said.
Brisbane will be without second-rower Jack Gosiewski (concussion) but grand final winner Brendan Piakura is set to return from knee surgery and is a strong chance to be named.
Jensen said the away hoodoo against the Storm was not an impediment.
"We see it as an opportunity," he said
"It hasn't happened in 10 years. We haven't got a win this year. It all leads to us putting in a good performance."
Five-eighth Mam was defensively poor last week but he showed against the Storm in the grand final, where he was a weapon off the bench, that he can shine in that area.
"I'm not the biggest bloke and I've got the biggest blokes on the field running at me," Mam said.
"It's always a good feeling if I get a good shot on or get a hit on my opposite man.
"Defence wins games and there was a couple of times (against the Eels) where our defence just wasn't good enough.
"That was the main focus today, just getting our defensive fundamentals, right."
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