Adam Reynolds says he has changed his mind after admitting he enjoyed watching his former club South Sydney are struggling after leaving the club. Reynolds won a NRL Premiership with Souths in 2014 and played nine seasons for his beloved Bunnies before making the switch to the Broncos after the 2021 season.
The Rabbitohs would only offer the experienced halfback a one-year extension, so he joined Brisbane on a three-year deal. Reynolds was named captain at Brisbane and has been a revelation for the Broncos since making the move, leading the club to last year’s grand final before signing a one-year extension to remain in Brisbane next season.
Former Rabbitohs favourite Adam Reynolds says he initially enjoyed watching South Sydney struggle after he left the club. Photo: Getty
South Sydney’s decision to let Reynolds leave has been consistently questioned after seeing the impact he has had on Kevin Walters’ Broncos team. And the Rabbitohs have struggled in the halves since the veteran No.7 departed, with young playmaker Lachlan Ilias failing to live up to expectations as Reynolds’ heir apparent and Souths signing next year’s England half Lewis Dodd.
The Rabbitohs’ season deteriorated in 2023 when they were knocked out of the finals despite leading the competition after 12 rounds. And things went from bad to worse in the first few months of the current season when they won just one game in their first seven before sacking former coach Jason Demetriou.
In an episode of the podcast ‘Ebbs and Flows’, hosted by former NRL star Isaac John, veteran half Reynolds admitted he initially enjoyed watching his former club struggle after he left. “At first I was happy, I won’t lie,” Reynolds said of South Sydney’s struggles. But the 34-year-old said his stance quickly changed when he reflected on the friendships he made at South Sydney and the struggles he’s faced in his own career.
“I’ve got a lot of mates in that side, and I’ve obviously had some tough seasons, and you know how much pain that brings and you don’t want your mates to go through that,” he said. “I still speak to a lot of them regularly and when they were struggling this year I felt for them and wanted them to do well. They’re going to be fine, but I feel for a lot of them.”
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Souths have turned their season around under interim coach Ben Hornby, firing back into the finals after winning seven of their last eight games to jump from bottom to 12th on the ladder, level on points with Reynolds’ 11th-placed Broncos. And the Bunnies’ future looks bright after signing master coach Wayne Bennett on a three-year deal from 2025.
Adam Reynolds inspires Broncos on return from injury
Reynolds and the Broncos have had their own problems this season, with the veteran halfback’s return last week helping Brisbane snap a six-game losing streak and revive their flagging finals hopes. Reynolds spent 12 weeks sidelined with a torn biceps but helped unlock Reece Walsh and the Broncos’ attack upon his return as they beat Newcastle 30-14.
“Reyno is a class player, and there’s a reason he’s the captain of our club,” Walsh said after the win over the Knights. “It was good to have him back… it freed up a little bit for me and Ez (Ezra Mam), and playing what we see. His kicking game helps a lot. We were probably a little rusty there with some things and some calls. But it’s been a long 12 weeks without Reyno, so it’s good to have him back.”
Adam Reynolds’ return from injury inspired Reece Walsh and the Broncos as they beat Newcastle to break a six-game losing streak. Photo: Getty
Reynolds’ return comes at a crucial time for the Broncos, who likely need six more wins from their final seven games to reach the finals. And the Brisbane coach says it’s no coincidence his team – and Walsh in particular – are a more dangerous proposition with their inspirational skipper back.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as it is. They’re two of our best players, and they play together again, they’re good together,” Walters said. “Adam and Reece have a really unique combination that only those two (get). They just know what the other one is doing. Adam with his style of play and the way he plays, really fits with Reece and his style of play. Together they’re very dynamic.”
