It’s time for someone at South Sydney to own up to the biggest mistake in the club’s history; letting Adam Reynolds move to Brisbane.
As a Rabbitohs supporter, I’ve spoken at length on 2GB’s Continuous Call Team and written several columns for the Wide World of Sports website about the disgraceful treatment of the premiership-winning halfback who grew up across the road from Redfern Oval.
I’m also a friend of the Reynolds’ family who are still privately seething after the club refused to budge on its one-year extension when Adam helped guide them to another grand final appearance, not to mention the fact he was living his childhood dream of playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
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I’m not the only one who’s called out the Bunnies and after watching Reynolds come back to haunt his former club on Thursday night, it’s impossible for the hierarchy at Redfern to argue with our criticism.
Whoever is responsible for the decision to allow a local junior and fan favourite, who bleeds red-and-green, to leave the Rabbitohs should hang their head in shame.
Was it the board, the CEO Blake Solly, outgoing coach Wayne Bennett, incoming coach Jason Demetriou or some knucklehead in the football department?
Could you imagine the same thing happening with Peter Sterling at Parramatta, Laurie Daley in Canberra, Anthony Minichiello at the Roosters or Darren Lockyer at the Brisbane Broncos?
They were the heart-and-soul of their clubs, just like Adam Reynolds was at South Sydney.
The club legend who’s considered the godfather of the Rabbitohs, George Piggins was a surprise guest at their captains’ run last-week and given he fought to have the Bunnies reinstated to continue their proud tradition in the game, I wonder if the former captain, coach and administrator is comfortable with the treatment of Reynolds.
We’re talking about a club that is supposedly proud of its history.
The Rabbitohs can blame salary cap pressures, they can also point to concerns about the playmaker’s longevity; but come on, you’d do whatever it takes to keep him, wouldn’t you?
I spoke to the CEO on 2GB’s WWOS last week and suggested to him, it still doesn’t look right with Reynolds playing in a Broncos jumper. Blake Solly replied: “We would prefer to have him in a South Sydney jersey, but we respect that Adam wanted the long-term financial security and a change, to bring his kids up in south-east Queensland.”
No Blake; the halfback was forced to look elsewhere because the Rabbitohs didn’t want him long-term and it’s come back to bite you on the backside.
Cody Walker looks lost without his little mate and that’s not a criticism of Lachlan Ilias. It’ll take time for the new number seven at the Rabbitohs to find his feet and become the dominant playmaker just like Reynolds.
As for the new Brisbane Broncos captains’ longevity in the game, two months out from his 32nd birthday; Andrew Johns wrote last week in the Sydney Morning Herald, “I’ve been quite vocal about how I thought Adam Reynolds should never have left the Rabbitohs, but from what I’ve seen he is a better player this year than last season.
“The move to the Broncos has really freshened him up. It can happen with players. He looks like he’s got a little bit of extra responsibility in Brisbane, a few new surroundings and new players … it’s all adding up to him elevating his game beyond 2021, when the Rabbitohs made the grand final.”
Darren Lockyer also weighed in via his column in the Sunday Mail writing, “Can you get better as a player in your 30s? The common theory is that players at that age are trying their best to maintain their form rather than improving.
“Physically they are not as fast and they can’t break tackles the same way. But that overlooks the many things that players like Reynolds bring to their team. Between the ears, the players are better than ever. If you need another example, think about what Cameron Smith did for the Melbourne Storm, guiding them to a premiership at age 37. Like Smith, Reynolds shows the importance of game management.”
There’s mutual respect between South Sydney fans and Adam Reynolds; that was evident when the halfback went over to the Burrow to thank them for their support at Accor Stadium.
Yes, there were a few boos for the number seven, but they should be redirected towards the management and board at South Sydney who allowed him to walk away.
Club legends deserve much more respect, especially when they’ve still got plenty to offer in the NRL. The Broncos leapfrogged the Bunnies into the top eight on the weekend and the difference this season at Brisbane is one of the Rabbitohs’ favourite sons.
Let me know your thoughts by sending through an email to the WWOS Radio show by clicking on this link; https://form.jotform.co/70601482897867
Wide World of Sports Radio is heard from 6pm AEDT on 2GB 873am with Mark Levy and co-hosts Billy Slater (Monday), Paul Gallen (Tuesday) and Brad Fittler (Wednesday).
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