NRL 2021: Adam Reynolds contract talks heat up; Tom Dearden fields offers to leave Broncos

It’s a pivotal week in the future of two halfbacks as the Broncos get ready to make a play for one while trying to stop another landing at a Queensland rival.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Adam Reynolds of the Rabbitohs celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the round five NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Brisbane Broncos at Stadium Australia on April 08, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Broncos will decide on Monday whether to table a formal contract for Souths halfback Adam Reynolds as off-contract Brisbane rookie Tom Dearden fields $1 million-plus offers to leave Red Hill.

Brisbane‘s recruitment-and-retention committee will hold discussions with coach Kevin Walters to determine whether they will ramp up their pursuit of Reynolds in the wake of his Broncos masterclass last Thursday night.

It is understood Broncos chairman Karl Morris has given the green light for Brisbane‘s recruitment arm to launch a poaching raid on Reynolds, whose contract spat with Souths could force him out of Redfern.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Adam Reynolds took the Broncos apart on last Thursday night.

Broncos recruitment chiefs have privately discussed the pros and cons of signing Reynolds, but whether they proceed with a formal offer will hinge a Monday meeting that examines Brisbane‘s salary-cap position.

There is a view Reynolds, 31 in July, could be a valuable mentor for Dearden, but there is also the risk that the Souths maestro‘s arrival at the Broncos next season could convince Dearden to walk away to chase a starting spot elsewhere.

While the Broncos have yet to table a deal for Dearden, the 20-year-old halfback has interest from four NRL rivals, including Queensland arch rivals, the Cowboys.

The former Australian Schoolboys young gun has fielded three-year offers in excess of $350,000 a season.

The Cowboys met with Dearden in Townsville in February and plan to escalate their interest this week by tabling a multi-year offer following Michael Morgan‘s medical retirement, which gives North Queensland major spending power under the salary cap.

The Cowboys have also made inquiries with Reynolds‘ management and the Souths stalwart’s next career move could influence whether Dearden stays loyal to the Broncos.

Reynolds is reportedly chasing a three-year deal worth $700k a season.

North Queensland recruitment chief Dane Campbell has drawn up an extensive hit-list of targets as the Cowboys look to replace Morgan and Newcastle-bound halfback Jake Clifford next season.

“Tom is in the discussions around what we are doing for a halves replacement for ‘Cliffo’ next year,” Cowboys football-operations boss Michael Luck said.

“Our job is to put an NRL roster together that can help our talented young guys.”

Reynolds‘ sublime performance in Souths’ 35-6 drubbing of the Broncos will not trigger a change of heart from Rabbitohs bosses.

They want to retain the premiership halfback on a year-by-year basis and that retention strategy will not be altered.

That opens the door for the Cowboys, Broncos and other NRL rivals to snatch Reynolds, who is seeking a three-year deal worth $700,000 a season.

Tom Dearden is being chased by four clubs.

Dearden has been linked with an immediate transfer to the Cowboys but his manager, Sam Ayoub, said the 20-game rookie will not rush a decision on his future.

“The Cowboys aren‘t the only club interested in him, there’s quite a few, but they have definitely been persistent in their pursuit of Tom over the years,” Ayoub said.

“I‘m not going to discuss a mid-season transfer because I have an obligation to protect Tom.

“Tom is a loyal kid with country ethics and he is not the sort of a guy who would make an instant decision to walk out on a club … unless he wasn‘t wanted.”

Reynolds‘ manager Steve Gillis said: “Adam is certainly open to a move to Queensland, but we need to get an offer first.”