NRL 2021: Adam Reynolds hits the market as talks over new deal with Souths fall flat
With the Rabbitohs sticking to their guns over the length of a new deal for Adam Reynolds, the halfback has officially hit the market and ‘all options are on the table’.
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Adam Reynolds is officially on the market after the South Sydney halfback told the club he was going to explore options elsewhere.
It comes as incoming Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has appealed for Reynolds to stay on with the club.
Reynolds’ manager Steve Gillis met with South Sydney officials on Wednesday afternoon where the club informed him they would not budge on their one-year deal.
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As a result Gillis told the Rabbitohs he would now take the premiership half to market as they look to secure a long-term deal.
“Their position remains unchanged,” Gillis said.
“We will now explore options for Adam and weigh things up as we work through the process. Souths’ offer remains on foot and they would love for him to stay. That’s been relayed to Adam. We will weigh it up in coming weeks.”
The Rabbitohs one-year offer remains on the table and the club have not ruled out giving Reynolds a contract for 2023 but want to make it a year-by-year proposition.
It is the first time the two parties have met since Reynolds rejected a one-year offer last month. The 30-year-old wanted a three-year deal but would remain at the club had they offered him a multi-year contract.
Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly said he wants to keep Reynolds at the club long-term.
“We would love Adam to stay at the club for the remainder of his career and beyond,” Solly said.
“We understand that Adam and his management want to consider their position and we will respect that process.”
A tight cap has left the Rabbitohs unable to commit to more than a one-year deal.
Gillis said he was unsure if this year would be Reynolds’ last at the club.
“Adam is open-minded and happy to engage with all interested parties and see where it takes us,” Gillis said.
“I can’t crystal ball the future but going to market means there is a genuine chance he won’t be there next year.”
Demetriou, who will replace Wayne Bennett in the Redfern hot seat next year, pleaded with Reynolds to recommit to the club.
“I’ve spoken to Adam, I want him to stay and hopefully finish his career at Souths,” he said.
“This (contract talk) is part of the game, so it’s a process we are all going through.
“Adam’s been great with his attitude. Our focus this year is winning a premiership and Adam is committed to that as much as anyone at the club.”
No wiggle room leaves Reynolds on verge of exit
- Paul Crawley, Dean Ritchie, Fatima Kdouh and Peter Badel
Adam Reynolds’ future at South Sydney is looking increasingly doubtful with further contract talks expected between his management and club powerbrokers on Wednesday.
With Reynolds to line-up for Thursday night’s clash against the Brisbane Broncos, it’s unlikely the halfback will be present at the meeting.
News Corp understands an internal meeting took place on Tuesday with the club doubling down on its move to only offer the premiership winning halfback a one-year deal.
Reynolds is off-contract at the end of this year and is looking to secure his future long-term, which has been a sticking point in current negotiations.
Reynolds’ manager Steve Gillis says he has received no formal update from the Rabbitohs, but made it clear if Souths are digging in their heels, the former NSW Origin playmaker will continue his career with another NRL club.
“I would have to hear it first from Souths before I play the next card and talk to Adam,” Gillis said. “But I expect that if it’s still a one-year deal, we will go to market and he won’t be at the club.
“I don’t know what Souths will say to us until I meet with them again.
“He won’t be signing a one-year deal at Souths, so if that’s their position, we would explore our options.”
The protracted contract saga has put Reynolds in the shop window, with a number of clubs interested in the 210-game playmaker on a longer term than what South Sydney is willing to offer.
The Cowboys were linked with Reynolds, although North Queensland are concerned about his age and have prioritised the possible purchase of off-contract Broncos halfback Tom Dearden, who is 10 years younger.
The Broncos have discussed the possibility of signing Reynolds, but have not lodged an expression of interest at this stage.
Gillis scoffed at suggestions Reynolds is at breaking point physically and would not be capable of playing another 12 months due to injuries.
“We are still looking at a three-year deal,” he said. “I’m not saying he wouldn’t accept a two-year deal but if he was to pack up and leave home, he will look at a three-year deal.
“He is 30 now so I don’t consider three years to be ridiculous.”
It’s understood South Sydney do want to keep Reynolds but salary cap constraints have left the club with little wriggle room to accommodate his two-year contract request.
Twelve players, including Latrell Mitchell, Jai Arrow, Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi, are already signed until the end of season 2023.
The cap squeeze is further complicated with the club wanting to secure a number of rookies rising through the ranks at Redfern.
Boom halves pairing Lachlan Ilias and Blake Taaffe, who steered the Rabbitohs to victory in the 2019 Jersey Flegg grand final, are on development contracts but are viewed as long-term playmaking prospects and are retention priorities for the club.
Rising halfback Dean Hawkins, who is off-contract at the end of season 2021, is another key retention target for the club.
Hawkins has been named to make his NRL debut on Thursday night.
Mansour feels for Reynolds
If there is one player who knows what it feels like to be squeezed out of the club you love, it’s Adam Reynolds’ South Sydney teammate, Josh Mansour.
D-day looms in a contract stand-off between Reynolds and the Rabbitohs with a decision on the halfback’s future expected soon.
With salary cap pressures for 2023 and rising playmakers coming through the ranks, the Redfern club is only willing to offer Reynolds a one-year extension.
It’s a situation not too dissimilar to what Mansour went through last October at the Panthers.
Only days after Penrith’s grand final loss, coach Ivan Cleary informed Mansour, boom winger Charlie Staines was preferred on the wing, which left the veteran flyer searching for a new home after nine years at the foot of the mountains.
“For sure, I definitely [sympathise with Adam], he’s been loyal at the club for long … you hope to see it work out. I’m not the only one, I’m sure opposition fans want to see Adam stay at this club,” Mansour said.
“It’s unnerving and it hurts the ego a little bit.
“It would be hard for Adam, he is cult hero here, he grew up in Redfern, which why there is so much attention around it.”
Mansour and Cleary have cleared the air since that fateful conversation and believes, like in his case, there will be a silver lining for Reynolds and now off-contract centre Dane Gagai, who is also preparing to test the market.
“We had a brief chat afterwards, there was a bit of miscommunication,” Mansour said.
“We have stayed friends, I have no bad feelings towards the club or ill-feelings towards anyone. I’m happy to see the boys doing well and I’m extremely happy here.
“There is always a silver lining.”
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