Footy fans say all is not as it seems after Adam Reynolds was caught in heartbreaking scenes during the Broncos' thrilling loss to the Storm

Brisbane's Adam Reynolds has avoided another knee injury but needs scans on a hamstring issue which left the skipper shattered during his team's tight loss to Melbourne.

Reynolds was forced to watch the second half from the AAMI Park sidelines as the Broncos' eight-point lead over the Storm evaporated, with the home side crossing twice late to book a 34-32 victory in their Thursday night clash.

Channel Nine's commentary team initially thought the halfback had reinjured his heavily strapped right knee, but it was later reported that he'd suffered a strain to his hamstring.

However, fans thought his on-field frustration with the injury - and his emotional reaction in the dressing room at halftime as he appeared to break down in tears - indicated it's far more serious than what the team and Reynolds are admitting to.

Highly regarded physiotherapist Brian Seeney, who runs the popular NRL Physio account on social media platform X, didn't appear convinced with the official explanation.

'Adam Reynolds won't return tonight with what the Broncos hope is a "minor hamstring issue",' he wrote.

'If truly a minor strain most back in under a month.'

Footy fans were more blunt in their assessment. 

'Hamstring? Really?' one tweeted, with another simply stating: 'Lies'.

'There's no way he survives another season. His body is screaming for him to give it away. Great player. Fantastic legacy. He's just done,' another fan added.

'The distraught reaction indicates something more substantial,' one commenter wrote.

'Strange emotion for a minor hamstring issue. I'm thinking they are just saying that to take attention off him for now,' another said.   

The veteran playmaker's kicking game had been key to his side taking a two-point lead into halftime, putting them on track for their first win in Melbourne since 2016.

Reynolds slammed the turf in frustration and limped off at halftime, leaving Brisbane fans concerned he'd suffered a serious knee injury during those scenes in the rooms.

The halfback said it was his hamstring, rather than his knee but was unsure how long it would keep him out.

'It just tightened up in that first half,' he said after the match.

'It didn't feel too good at half time but I will get back to Brisbane, get a scan and go from there.

'I felt it early on in the game and it gradually got worse ... I was trying to get through to halftime to see where I was but then I saw a bit of space on the short side and tried to take off and it didn't feel too good there.'

While the Broncos will be sweating on the fitness of Reynolds, Melbourne No.7 Jahrome Hughes was integral to his team's win - scoring a late try and setting up two others.

Hughes missed the Storm's loss to Newcastle when he was banned for one game for making contact with the referee.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said his halfback had a point to prove.

'It was disappointing for us, but for him also, missing the last week,' Bellamy said.

'I think he had a bit of a point to prove, and we thought it was a tough call, having to miss that week.

'He wanted to make up for that and he did, he did a great job for us.'

Bellamy was also delighted with the performance of Cameron Munster, with the superstar five-eighth playing his first match of the year after battling a mystery groin issue.

Munster had an understated showing by his own lofty standards but didn't do much wrong.

'I thought he was real good, I'd give him a A,' said Bellamy when asked what report card he would give Munster on his return.

'He didn't do anything off the top of his head too much and I thought he defended well.

'Some of his kicks probably weren't that great but he came up with the right options at the right time and it's good to have him back.

'You'd like to think now that he's going to just get better with a bit more match fitness, and a bit more training.'