The Round 12 match-up between the inconsistent South Sydney Rabbitohs and the struggling St George Illawarra Dragons is Adam Reynolds’ opportunity to stand up and make his mark in 2014.
Reynolds and halves partner John Sutton have been struggling to play consistent football for the Rabbitohs all season, leaving Souths’ attack disjointed, pedestrian and bereft of ideas.
Souths have averaged just 21 points a match this season, the ninth-ranked team in attack in the NRL.
The match against the Dragons presents Reynolds and the Bunnies an opportunity to kickstart their season. If the Rabbitohs click, and Reynolds rediscovers his attacking mojo, he can lift Souths from eleventh into fifth. If he doesn’t, the calls will get louder for the speedy return of the sublimely talented Luke Keary.
Reynolds will get the perfect platform to attack from, with the Burgess boys, Ben Te’o and Chris McQueen set to steamroll their much smaller and softer opponents. The Dragons cannot match the physicality of the Souths forward pack, and this will allow a lot of front-foot ball for Reynolds.
Coach Michael Macguire should shoulder a portion of the blame so far this season for under-utilising Reynolds and setting a boring and power-orientated platform. Souths’ one-up-and-one-out attack close to the ruck has restricted Reynolds from playing with any creativity, but free reign from the coach against a poor defensive team should see Reynolds shine.
If Reynolds can get his kicking game on song and the big Souths forwards make lots of yards up the middle of the ruck, Reynolds should look to attack the line and take on the fragile Dragons defence. But he needs the confidence to do so, and confidence just doesn’t seem to be there at the moment.
Lets hope for Souths fans that the match against the Dragons is where Reynolds gets his confidence back, and inspires Souths to a big win. If he fails, it will be a telling point in both his season and Souths’.
Matthew Buxton
Roar Pro
Benjji looked lost out there tonight haha!
Ret
Guest
And Souths are now.......forth.Great timing sunshine!
BrumbyJack
Guest
Mike you're spot on. The first ten minutes of this match tonight and both Reynolds and Sutton look like they are in slow motion.... And once again, both of their attacking kicks have not been on the Mark. Too boring, too structured and no confidence shown yet from Reynolds.
Leroy Loggins
Guest
Hahahaha ! Classic
Mike from Tari
Guest
Reynolds is not attacking the line at pace, he is sauntering to the line & the whole backline therefore are sauntering, Inglis is cannot attack the line at pace if the rest are going in slow motion.
The eye
Guest
Souths are going fine,will no doubt just do enough again tonite to get the chocolates,but will also escape injuries in doing so...can't see how Reddy is a better option than Merrit,though..
KB
Guest
And The Lord said to Souths.."come forth"...but they came ninth.
Rod
Guest
Brumby Jack, I agree that Reynolds has not set the world on fire with ball in hand. But he is still playing with a lot of determination , whilst the fire is in his belly, it's only a matter if time before he comes good. I think part of the reason the teams performance has been erratic has been the desire to be a little less predictable. I can see the team coming good towards the end of the year, unlike the last two where we have fallen apart towards the end of the season.. It will be an interesting game tonight, but if we turn up to play, the dragons could be in for a hammering tonight..
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
I think we'll see some big Benji plays tonight - i hope he leads St George to a big win
Elma Dudd
Guest
Souths are done and dusted they haven't recovered from the disappointment of 2013 . I'm tipping the dragons to give em a tune up .
BrumbyJack
Guest
Totally agree BA. Let's see how he goes tonight...
BA Sports
Guest
Rounds 1 through 11 would have been a good time for him to stand up as well, but he hasn't...
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Do not be surprised if Benji Marshall and Widdop upset Souths plans to showcase their talent.