NRL 2021: Broncos set to ruin Sharks away in race for Adam Reynolds, Shaun Johnson

Cronulla are reportedly close to landing Adam Reynolds on a lucrative three-year deal but, armed with bigger financial resources, there is still hope for the Broncos.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Shaun Johnson of the Sharks runs the ball during the round seven NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on April 24, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Shaun Johnson or Adam Reynolds - that’s the decision for the desperate Brisbane Broncos who have emerged as the Sharks greatest nemesis to their roster rebuild.

The Broncos have held talks with Cronulla star Johnson as Brisbane coach Kevin Walters declared he will deliver a big-name playmaking scalp to Red Hill next season.

Meanwhile, following reports that Reynolds is edging closer to signing with the Sharks, the Broncos are viewed as a late threat to the Shire-outfit’s pursuit of South Sydney’s chief conductor with a financial capacity to pay the 30-year-old’s asking price of $800,000-a-season.

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Brisbane is ready to its war chest to secure Adam Reynolds. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty

Given their past three years of salary cap heartache, the Sharks are reticent to extend their purse strings to that extent.

They are in the process of formalising their final offer.

Undeniably, Reynolds’ preference is to stay in Sydney, which is why he could ultimately take less money to link with incoming Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

Reynolds has spoken at length with Fitzgibbon. The South Sydney playmaker has been buoyed by their discussions.

The Sharks also haven’t ruled out re-signing the off-contract Johnson with a final decision to be made over the next month during a period of which his recovery from a serious Achilles injury will be assessed.

News Corp can reveal Johnson and Reynolds sit on a Broncos hit list of five playmakers with Walters pledging to strike back from the loss of young gun Tom Dearden to the Cowboys by snaring a senior shot-caller on the open market.

There is a view the Broncos were happy not to get into a bidding war for the 20-year-old Dearden because they were actively lining up a better-credentialed replacement and Brisbane are ramping-up their scrumbase recruitment strategy.

Brisbane hierarchy gave Walters their blessing to target Reynolds three weeks ago and the Broncos have expanded their scrumbase net to try and capture Sharks playmaker Johnson.

Off-contract Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses is another option, while the Broncos have been offered the services of Gareth Widdop and Aidan Sezer, both of whom are currently overseas in the English Super League.

It is understood Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention panel have made inquiries with Johnson, just days after NRL Immortal Andrew Johns said the former New Zealand captain would be the perfect fit for the Broncos.

Walters is reluctant to specifically comment on individual targets but when asked if the Broncos will have a senior playmaker at the club next season, the Brisbane coach was unequivocal.

Shaun Johnson is just one option for the Broncos.

“Yes we will,” he said.

“The plan is to get someone (an established playmaker) and I believe we will.

“I won’t name names but yes I’m after an experienced playmaker. That’s my priority and that’s what I am looking for.

“I’m certainly looking at a number of playmakers.

“Everyone can see we need an experienced playmaker and I’m going to the market.”

Johnson is off-contract at season’s end and ticks the boxes in a number of areas. While he has yet to win a premiership, Johnson, who turns 31 in September, has played 197 NRL games and amassed 32 Tests, leading the Kiwis to Four Nations glory in 2014.

Johnson and Reynolds are in Brisbane’s price range. Johnson, who returned from an achilles injury last week, is on around $800,000 at the Sharks, while Reynolds is seeking a three-year worth at least $700,000 annually.

Canberra’s former grand-final halfback Aidan Sezer has been offered to the Broncos.

Johnson faces a possible $400,000 pay cut to remain at the Sharks under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon next season.

The Broncos first attempted to sign Moses in 2017, but are baulking at his price tag this time, with Brisbane facing an outlay in excess of $900,000 a season to lure the Eels wizard to Red Hill.

British Test star Widdop, just turned 32, is eyeing a return to Australia, while the 29-year-old Sezer, who steered Canberra to the 2019 grand final, is off-contract at Huddersfield and keen for an NRL comeback.

Newcastle halfback legend Johns urged the Broncos to sign the quick-stepping Johnson.

“If I was the Broncos I would go in so hard for Shaun Johnson, he’s the player they need,” Johns told Sydney radio station SEN.

“If they had two world-class halves, they would make the top eight.

“Can you imagine as a halfback playing behind Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai Jnr? You’d be licking your lips every week.”