Adam Reynolds is South Sydney’s future, says coach Michael Maguire
SOUTH Sydney coach Michael Maguire has slammed the door shut on Cooper Cronk and wants local boy Adam Reynolds to become a Rabbitoh for life.
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SOUTH Sydney coach Michael Maguire has slammed the door shut on Test halfback Cooper Cronk and instead wants local boy Adam Reynolds to become a Rabbitoh for life.
On Tuesday Maguire shut down speculation that he and Reynolds had a strained working relationship, leading to rumours that he wanted Melbourne Storm’s champion No.7 next season at the Rabbitohs in 2017.
“To me Adam represents everything is great about South Sydney,” Maguire said, “He’s been part of the district since he was kid all the way through juniors.
“I think he’s a long-termer. We’ve already got him for another two years and if the opportunity arises I’d like to see him extend for a long period of time.
“I’d like to see him be a one-club player. You don’t see that very often but if he keeps enjoying footy the way it is, there’s no reason why he can’t.”
Pressed on his interest in Cronk who he knows well from being an assistant coach in Melbourne, Maguire emphatically denied any talks had taken place.
“No, we’re not interested,” he said, “We’ve got Adam and that’s it.
“I’m not even sure what Coops is up to. We’ve put a lot of time into Adam and he’s still got a lot of growth in his game. That’s all we’re thinking about.”
For several months there had been talk of Reynolds being unhappy at the club, and that he doesn’t get on with Maguire and doesn’t enjoy his coaching.
“I don’t know where that’s come from,” Maguire said. “I chat to Adam all the time.
“He’s great to work with and he really listens and he wants to learn. He had a great game for the All Stars and I continually see him maturing. He’s also had a great pre-season and worked really hard. I actually think he can take his game to another level this year.”
With doubts over Mitchell Pearce’s immediate playing future, there is a huge opportunity for Reynolds to play State of Origin this year, depending on how Trent Hodkinson comes back from injury and settles in at the Newcastle Knights
“The way he plays will dictate where he goes,” Maguire said.
“If he performs well he’ll put himself into to the window. Laurie knows how good he is. And so do we.”
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