NRL 2021: Rabbitohs contract talks with Adam Reynolds could blow up before season-opener

The stand-off between South Sydney and skipper Adam Reynolds is threatening to blow up ahead of the season-opener against Melbourne.

The simmering stand-off between South Sydney and much-loved skipper Adam Reynolds will now come to a head in the countdown to Thursday’s season-opening blockbuster against Melbourne.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly revealed on Friday that the next round of talks with Reynolds’ agent Steve Gillis are scheduled for early next week.

Asked if he was confident Reynolds would stay at the club, Solly said: “I am really optimistic.

“Look, we want to keep Adam but we just have to come up with a deal that suits both of us.

“We want to just sit down and explore all possibilities if that makes sense.”

Asked if he could see it being resolved sooner rather than later, Solly added: “I think (Gillis’) commentary last week was really good.

“It is not pistols at dawn.

“No one wants it to linger.

“We will work together to get it solved as quick as both of us can.”

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Rabbitohs contract talks with Adam Reynolds could blow up before season-opener. Picture: Getty Images.

But while there is understandably huge hype surrounding the Rabbitohs’ premiership aspirations in the wake of their thumping Charity Shield win over St George Illawarra, there are also legitimate concerns that Reynolds’ ugly contract situation could become a ticking time bomb if it is not sorted out sooner rather than later.

The issue as far as Reynolds is concerned is that so far the club has refused to budge on the fact they are only prepared to extend his deal by one year.

Reynolds has made no attempt to hide that he is not happy at how he has been treated, and most can understand why given his loyalty, standing and service to the club.

While there has been speculation in recent days that the Rabbitohs may now be prepared to up the offer to two years with a third year option in the club’s favour, at this stage one year is all that has been officially discussed.

But if the Rabbitohs don’t budge next week it’s fair to say Reynolds will have no concerns testing interest on the open market.

There is no question Reynolds, 30, is still up with the game’s absolute elite halfbacks and should have no trouble getting a longer deal at a rival club.

Adam Reynolds was a standout for the Bunnies in their Charity Shield demolition of the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images.

One club that has been speculated as a possible destination is Gold Coast who happen to have Ash Taylor in the final year of his million-dollar-a-season contract.

Reynolds has made no secret of the fact he feels he has plenty of good footy left in him, and his form in the Charity Shield certainly indicated he looks to be ready for another good season.

Another point not missed by Reynolds’ supporters is how the club did what was needed to keep Cody Walker last year.

Although, on that score, Walker - who was born the same year as Reynolds - also comes off contract at the end of 2022.

The other issue in respect to negotiating a longer deal for Reynolds is that Russell Crowe is said to be still filthy at handing over big money pay outs to Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis at the back end of their careers.

Souths also have a juggling act in respect to managing their salary cap given the depth of talent across their entire squad, and the fact they have already locked up good money keeping Latrell Mitchell until the end of 2023, Cameron Murray (2025) and Damien Cook (2023).