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On My Own Terms: From Redfern to glory: A journey of resilience, grit and finding your voice
Redfern grit, Rabbitohs glory, Broncos pride – Adam Reynolds breaks his silence.
Adam Reynolds is a rugby league icon whose journey began in the heart of Redfern and took him all the way to the top of the NRL. From humble beginnings, Adam grew up surrounded by community, struggle and the relentless rhythm of footy being played on every corner.
In this gritty and powerful memoir, Adam shares his rise from a working-class kid with big dreams for a football career, to becoming a premiership-winning playmaker for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and now captain of the Brisbane Broncos, the NRL’s most supported club. He opens up like never before about the pressure of leading two of the game’s most iconic teams, the heartbreak of his controversial Rabbitohs exit, and the rollercoaster ride that followed.
For the first time, Adam reveals the personal battles behind the headlines – his family’s hidden struggles, the marital crisis that nearly broke him, and how legendary coach Wayne Bennett helped pull him back from the brink. He also sets the record straight on that infamous fight with a teammate on the eve of flying to Vegas.
Full of raw emotion, humour and unforgettable moments, this is a story about identity, loyalty and the unbreakable bond between a player and the game that gave him everything.
Adam Reynolds is a rugby league icon whose journey began in the heart of Redfern and took him all the way to the top of the NRL. From humble beginnings, Adam grew up surrounded by community, struggle and the relentless rhythm of footy being played on every corner.
In this gritty and powerful memoir, Adam shares his rise from a working-class kid with big dreams for a football career, to becoming a premiership-winning playmaker for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and now captain of the Brisbane Broncos, the NRL’s most supported club. He opens up like never before about the pressure of leading two of the game’s most iconic teams, the heartbreak of his controversial Rabbitohs exit, and the rollercoaster ride that followed.
For the first time, Adam reveals the personal battles behind the headlines – his family’s hidden struggles, the marital crisis that nearly broke him, and how legendary coach Wayne Bennett helped pull him back from the brink. He also sets the record straight on that infamous fight with a teammate on the eve of flying to Vegas.
Full of raw emotion, humour and unforgettable moments, this is a story about identity, loyalty and the unbreakable bond between a player and the game that gave him everything.
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Published October 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 2, 2025
Absolutely amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Adam both personally and professionally. Have always been a huge fan of his, so this was a great read. He is such a humble, honest and kind person. I love reading about the family man that he is and a huge shout out to his wife, Tallara for sharing her story too - this was so emotional to read and yet, so brave and inspiring. They clearly both make a wonderful team. Wonderful book, Reynolds! Well done 👍
September 1, 2026
reyno my goat
February 13, 2026
Such a humble guy , a fabulous insight to his and his families lives during his time in the nrl.
February 25, 2026
Rate him as a player but rate him even higher as a bloke. Top guy!
November 2, 2025
Great book of Adams inside life story. I hope more NRL players take the chance to write a autobiography, always so interesting to see the inside of the game and players lives.
October 31, 2025
This was so wholesome 🥰
Adam speaks about his family, friends, teammates, colleagues and coaches in such a respectful way that it makes you really understand why he is so respected in the NRL.
There were moments I was in stitches (Wayne Bennett’s mic drop moment 🤣) and moments when I felt the pain and emotion of his personal struggles.
The way this book is written is unlike most memoirs I’ve read. It really just felt like we were having a conversation between mates, talking about life over a few cold ones 🍺
Adam speaks about his family, friends, teammates, colleagues and coaches in such a respectful way that it makes you really understand why he is so respected in the NRL.
There were moments I was in stitches (Wayne Bennett’s mic drop moment 🤣) and moments when I felt the pain and emotion of his personal struggles.
The way this book is written is unlike most memoirs I’ve read. It really just felt like we were having a conversation between mates, talking about life over a few cold ones 🍺
February 13, 2026
What a player.
July 17, 2026
Great book by Adam he gives the reader great insight into his personal life behind the football and small details about things people and fans didn’t know about. Adam is very honest about how things took place and where he went wrong with things coming from an experienced halfback this is a great read for any fan and future NRL players.
December 27, 2025
Such a good book Adam Reynolds is a good rugby league player. And never seen what his life was like when he was young and at the Rabbits. Overall a good book.
November 10, 2025
I am a panthers fan, but something about this book intrigued me to read. Adam did not always have it easy and it was really insightful into not only his game but his life. The way he speaks so highly of those who are in his life - family, friends, coaches etc. you can tell he is thankful for every opportunity and person that helped shape his game to where he is today. It topped it off that the foreword was written by Wayne Bennett.
Great to see another kid from Sydney make it big👏🏼👏🏼
Great to see another kid from Sydney make it big👏🏼👏🏼
November 12, 2025
It's a pretty sweet year when your favourite player wins the premiership, then caps it off by releasing an autobiography.
A great read, punchy and entertaining - everything I want in a sporting biography. Fingers crossed for a sequel when he's a head coach, a few years down the line.
A great read, punchy and entertaining - everything I want in a sporting biography. Fingers crossed for a sequel when he's a head coach, a few years down the line.
December 9, 2025
I am a lover of the game of rugby league and, since my high school years I have been a supporter of South Sydney football club. I am proud of my working-class roots and bring these to my enthusiasm for this sport. I played rugby league as a schoolboy. I clearly remember how the school rugby union team was of mediocre ability but were glorified by the school hierarchy while the undefeated league team, of which I was a member, was kept in the shadows. I was also conscious that in the broader field of Eastern Australia rugby union could be defined as the Liberal Party at play (They are now aligned as two of this country’s great failures). I have been a to a few union games, but not having the sports jacket with the thin leather elbow patches, I always felt out of place.
I enjoyed reading this book, Reynolds mentioned tries, tackles and games that I attended. As I read, I would pull out my phone and view incidents on YouTube that he mentioned.
Adam Reynolds was a true local to South Sydney having been born, raised and played in the South Sydney area. He had the wish to be a one club player, but as he explains this was not to happen.
There is a high degree of honesty and integrity in what Reynold’s writes. He is public about his relationships with his four coaches, especially Wayne Bennett. He writes of his love for his family and the dramas that his wife’s substance abuse caused. He mentions many of the players he has played with and the friendships he has made. He writes of the joy of winning the 2014 premiership and the disappointment of sideline kick that he missed in 2021 grand final against Penrith.
He sets aside a chapter to discuss his tattoos. I am afraid I would line up with Wayne Bennett with his attitude to this form of skin graffiti!
He is forthright about his wish to stay with Souths with a minimum two-year contract, but the buffoons running the club had other ideas. And haven’t they been proven to be so wrong? The decision to let Reynolds go is undeniably the stupidest decision Souths’ management have ever made. Still Reynolds’ move to Brisbane has been an outstanding success for him and the Broncos club. Sadly, the book ends before Reynolds’ leading Brisbane to a premiership winning performance in October 2025. I did wonder why he wrote this book at this stage of his career. All indications from him are that 2026 will be his final year in the NRL.
As the book concludes Reynolds mentioned his wish to pursue a coaching career in the game. That wish will be interesting to follow. An enjoyable read.
I enjoyed reading this book, Reynolds mentioned tries, tackles and games that I attended. As I read, I would pull out my phone and view incidents on YouTube that he mentioned.
Adam Reynolds was a true local to South Sydney having been born, raised and played in the South Sydney area. He had the wish to be a one club player, but as he explains this was not to happen.
There is a high degree of honesty and integrity in what Reynold’s writes. He is public about his relationships with his four coaches, especially Wayne Bennett. He writes of his love for his family and the dramas that his wife’s substance abuse caused. He mentions many of the players he has played with and the friendships he has made. He writes of the joy of winning the 2014 premiership and the disappointment of sideline kick that he missed in 2021 grand final against Penrith.
He sets aside a chapter to discuss his tattoos. I am afraid I would line up with Wayne Bennett with his attitude to this form of skin graffiti!
He is forthright about his wish to stay with Souths with a minimum two-year contract, but the buffoons running the club had other ideas. And haven’t they been proven to be so wrong? The decision to let Reynolds go is undeniably the stupidest decision Souths’ management have ever made. Still Reynolds’ move to Brisbane has been an outstanding success for him and the Broncos club. Sadly, the book ends before Reynolds’ leading Brisbane to a premiership winning performance in October 2025. I did wonder why he wrote this book at this stage of his career. All indications from him are that 2026 will be his final year in the NRL.
As the book concludes Reynolds mentioned his wish to pursue a coaching career in the game. That wish will be interesting to follow. An enjoyable read.
October 17, 2026
This book has sat on my ‘to read’ list for some time, and I am trying to read more biographies. Adam Reynolds has given me plenty of joy watching him play Rugby League, so I was interested in learning more about his life.
Reynolds clearly enjoyed a drink, and I found myself wondering about his priorities. He devoted more pages to the party following South Sydney’s Grand Final victory than to the Grand Final itself! The book contains several accounts of alcohol-related incidents throughout his career, reflecting how alive and well binge-drinking culture remains within Rugby League.
The temptation of drugs is never far away, either. Reynolds writes, with his wife's permission, about her cocaine addiction and its impact on their relationship. He also describes Wayne Bennett’s role in encouraging him to remain in the marriage and get his wife the support she needed. It was a reminder that the challenges surrounding professional footballers extend well beyond the field.
Reynolds comes across as a decent, salt-of-the-earth bloke. Perhaps not a particularly deep thinker, but reliable, someone who enjoyed the moment and made the most of his talents. My strongest reflection was that he had the ability to make those around him better players.
It was disappointing that he did not have more opportunities in representative football, particularly during an era when NSW kept losing State of Origin series. Queenslanders were certainly happy with NSW’s loyalty to Mitchell Pearce! Reynolds was a player around whom a team could be built, and I suspect he deserved greater recognition for what he brought to the game.
This is brain chewing gum: an easy, enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in Rugby League.
Reynolds clearly enjoyed a drink, and I found myself wondering about his priorities. He devoted more pages to the party following South Sydney’s Grand Final victory than to the Grand Final itself! The book contains several accounts of alcohol-related incidents throughout his career, reflecting how alive and well binge-drinking culture remains within Rugby League.
The temptation of drugs is never far away, either. Reynolds writes, with his wife's permission, about her cocaine addiction and its impact on their relationship. He also describes Wayne Bennett’s role in encouraging him to remain in the marriage and get his wife the support she needed. It was a reminder that the challenges surrounding professional footballers extend well beyond the field.
Reynolds comes across as a decent, salt-of-the-earth bloke. Perhaps not a particularly deep thinker, but reliable, someone who enjoyed the moment and made the most of his talents. My strongest reflection was that he had the ability to make those around him better players.
It was disappointing that he did not have more opportunities in representative football, particularly during an era when NSW kept losing State of Origin series. Queenslanders were certainly happy with NSW’s loyalty to Mitchell Pearce! Reynolds was a player around whom a team could be built, and I suspect he deserved greater recognition for what he brought to the game.
This is brain chewing gum: an easy, enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in Rugby League.
August 25, 2026
“Laugh now, cry later. You need to enjoy life because it’s so short. If things get tough, smile, grit the teeth, be in the moment and know there’s tomorrow.”
On my own terms was such an intimate look into the life of Adam Reynolds and his rise to NRL stardom. I have always loved the game and have been a big fan of him ever since he made his debut with the Brisbane Broncos.
He lays his heart out on the line, from early age all the way through to announcing his retirement for 2026. He’s copped some injuries in his time, and at the time of me finishing this book, he has announced he will not play the last home game of the season due to his injury at the decision of medical officials and his coach Madge, which is a huge punch in the guts for Reyno but also his fans who all love him so much.
There is a few moments in this book where I teared up, and it really just shows how humble Reynolds is. If you’re an NRL fan, this is a must read regardless of the team you support.
Listened to via audiobook, I’d have loved it if Reynolds narrated the entire book rather than just the last 2 chapters but it really did also give an extra burst of emotion to end out the story.
There is a lot of funny stories in here too, where he reflects on good times with his fellow teammates and coaches.
“I never owned the Brisbane broncos #7 jersey, I was only leasing it.” 🥹
“I love rugby league and there’s no way I could imagine my life without the game.” Same here Reyno, same here.
#bronxnation 💛🐴
On my own terms was such an intimate look into the life of Adam Reynolds and his rise to NRL stardom. I have always loved the game and have been a big fan of him ever since he made his debut with the Brisbane Broncos.
He lays his heart out on the line, from early age all the way through to announcing his retirement for 2026. He’s copped some injuries in his time, and at the time of me finishing this book, he has announced he will not play the last home game of the season due to his injury at the decision of medical officials and his coach Madge, which is a huge punch in the guts for Reyno but also his fans who all love him so much.
There is a few moments in this book where I teared up, and it really just shows how humble Reynolds is. If you’re an NRL fan, this is a must read regardless of the team you support.
Listened to via audiobook, I’d have loved it if Reynolds narrated the entire book rather than just the last 2 chapters but it really did also give an extra burst of emotion to end out the story.
There is a lot of funny stories in here too, where he reflects on good times with his fellow teammates and coaches.
“I never owned the Brisbane broncos #7 jersey, I was only leasing it.” 🥹
“I love rugby league and there’s no way I could imagine my life without the game.” Same here Reyno, same here.
#bronxnation 💛🐴
May 3, 2026
Adam Reynolds’ On My Own Terms is an honest, grounded, and at times deeply moving look into the life of one of the NRL’s most respected figures, Adam Reynolds. Written with a clear voice and a no-nonsense tone, the book feels true to who Reynolds is—humble, resilient, and quietly determined.
What stands out most is the insight into his journey from a relatively overlooked junior to an elite leader in the NRL. The behind-the-scenes stories—especially around pressure moments, injuries, and leadership—add real depth and give readers a greater appreciation for what it takes to perform at the highest level.
The writing style is straightforward and easy to follow, which works well for the tone of the book, though at times it can feel a little safe. Some moments could have been explored in more detail, particularly the emotional highs and lows that are only briefly touched on.
That said, On My Own Terms is a strong and enjoyable read, especially for footy fans. It doesn’t try to be overly dramatic or sensational—it simply tells a genuine story about perseverance, loyalty, and backing yourself.
What stands out most is the insight into his journey from a relatively overlooked junior to an elite leader in the NRL. The behind-the-scenes stories—especially around pressure moments, injuries, and leadership—add real depth and give readers a greater appreciation for what it takes to perform at the highest level.
The writing style is straightforward and easy to follow, which works well for the tone of the book, though at times it can feel a little safe. Some moments could have been explored in more detail, particularly the emotional highs and lows that are only briefly touched on.
That said, On My Own Terms is a strong and enjoyable read, especially for footy fans. It doesn’t try to be overly dramatic or sensational—it simply tells a genuine story about perseverance, loyalty, and backing yourself.
November 18, 2025
On My Own Terms was an interesting and engaging listen. It offers a rare look behind the headlines and inside the club walls, giving listeners a deeper understanding of Adam Reynolds’ world. He’s open and honest about both his personal life and professional journey, striking a nice balance between serious moments and genuinely funny stories.
I really enjoyed hearing about the teams he’s played with and the coaches he’s worked under—it was fascinating insight into the game and the personalities that shape it. His reflections on the ups and downs of his career feel authentic, and it’s clear he’s determined to do things on his own terms.
Overall, a great listen for fans who want more than just the on-field action.
I really enjoyed hearing about the teams he’s played with and the coaches he’s worked under—it was fascinating insight into the game and the personalities that shape it. His reflections on the ups and downs of his career feel authentic, and it’s clear he’s determined to do things on his own terms.
Overall, a great listen for fans who want more than just the on-field action.
December 21, 2025
Sports books tend to be of a similar style and it is hard to find one that breaks the mould, and this one was no exception. However, I love Adam Reynolds, he has always been me of my favourite players, so to read his journey was most enjoyable. It is a great shame that the book came out before the mighty Brisbane Broncos finally won the comp in ‘25. It felt like it would have been the fairytale finish to this memoir. I may never recover from the magic of that event.
November 1, 2025
Another great Rugby League player shares his journey with honesty and heart. His willingness to be vulnerable and speak openly about the challenges he’s faced is truly inspirational. I also admire how he confronts past scandals directly, rather than avoiding them—his honesty adds depth to the story. A must read for League fans.
November 3, 2025
I lived the rawness and the honesty. I applauded the small i sights into not only his personal struggles and triumphs but his wife and family, friends, team mates and mentors.
Whilst at times it felt a bit repetitive it still held my attention to keep reading.
It left me wanting more biographies from players that he mentioned in the book.
Whilst at times it felt a bit repetitive it still held my attention to keep reading.
It left me wanting more biographies from players that he mentioned in the book.
November 7, 2025
Really enjoyed learning how Reyno got to where he is and the insights he gave into various events that have happened throughout his career. Especially with him narrating his own story!
Being a recent release, I wish there was another chapter covering the 2025 Grand Final result, as we Broncos fans are so grateful that he managed to achieve what he set out to do when signing with Brisbane.
Being a recent release, I wish there was another chapter covering the 2025 Grand Final result, as we Broncos fans are so grateful that he managed to achieve what he set out to do when signing with Brisbane.
December 14, 2025
10/10. I really enjoyed reading this from Adam’s words himself. It gave me such a respect towards him and truly enjoyed reading all his journeys along the way. I liked it wasn’t always about Adam, but he spoke about the people around him. I’m so glad he got to win a GrandFinal with the Broncos this year!! Great read 😊
April 1, 2026
very interesting life story however as far as sports autobiographies go I think it could have been done better. would love to have gone deeper on some of the relationships with players and coaches. there is some genuinely great insights into Adams life and personal off field relationships but a lot of the book reads like a Wikipedia page.
November 1, 2025
As a footy head & bronx member, most of the time I already knew what he was talking about. In saying that, it’s so interesting reading about the behind the scenes stuff and conversations with the legends.
October 27, 2026
absolutely loved this book
he tells his story truthfully absolutely love the way he wrote about the struggles not only he has had but also within his family
great football player , but also a great man
he tells his story truthfully absolutely love the way he wrote about the struggles not only he has had but also within his family
great football player , but also a great man
October 31, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography of Adam Reynolds. I admittedly didn’t know a huge amount about him and found his story great.
November 4, 2025
Great read
November 6, 2025
HOW GOOD IS RUGBY LEEEAAAAGUE
but really I love the NRL, love Adam, loved this book
ADAM OF YOU'RE READING THIS DO A SIGNING AT CHERMSIDE OKAY THANKS BESTIE
but really I love the NRL, love Adam, loved this book
ADAM OF YOU'RE READING THIS DO A SIGNING AT CHERMSIDE OKAY THANKS BESTIE
November 12, 2025
Five Stars because I just bloody love him!
December 16, 2025
love this guy
December 19, 2025
Great read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews