Star South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds has signed a three-year deal with the Brisbane Broncos beginning next season.
The news was made official by both clubs this morning after NRL.com reported on rumours a deal had been agreed to yesterday.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said the signing of Reynolds was “a real endorsement” of the Broncos’ direction and future.
“Adam is a fantastic signing for our Club – his leadership and game management are outstanding and he will really help bring out the best in our squad,” said Walters.
“He is skilful, he loves to compete and he wants to win, and importantly he is a family man and highly regarded off the field, those are all things that we want in a Brisbane Broncos player.
“I keep saying that we have a terrific core group of committed players and the future is bright,” he said.
South Sydney CEO, Blake Solly, blamed salary cap issues on the club’s inability to offer him a satisfactory deal.
“We have always understood Adam’s position and we’re happy for him that he has been able to secure a contract with another club that meets his and his family’s needs,” he said.
“We’re all looking forward to working with Adam for the rest of this season and we’ll give him all of the support he needs in his role as captain to lead our Club to its 22nd premiership,” he said.
Drawn-out contract negotiations between Reynolds and Souths have been one of the bigger talking points this season, with the 30-year-old halfback looking for a long-term deal and Souths reportedly not keen on offering him one due to his age.
Speculation had ramped up in recent weeks that he could be poached by either Brisbane or the Cronulla Sharks for 2022 and beyond, but the Sydney-native looks to have chosen Red Hill as his new home.
Souths had been implored to re-sign their halfback in recent weeks, with Roar columnist Scott Pryde declaring his departure would “end their premiership window”.
The Rabbitohs lost to the Melbourne Storm by a score of 50-0 in his absence last week, but he is scheduled to return from his thumb injury this weekend against the Sharks.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Conniving ; Definition 1: to pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose; 2: to cooperate secretly or have a secret understanding. Bennett then?
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Agree, I hope we are all very wrong! All will be forgotten if we comfortably beat the Sharks tonight and Panthers next week. I hope the team remains united and strong, as they are talented and have been playing well for most of the last 12 months.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, it doesn't smell good as Bennett is doing his old tricks AGAIN just like what he did at the Knights (but he's acting like he's innocent) and putting his hands up as being innocent and said " I don't make the decisions at the club" the same way like he said in the coaches press conference last week after that disgraceful result! Yes I agree with you 100% that JD (even though he's very close to Bennett) should take over straight away at the Bunnies irrespective and the Bunnies should be sacked with asap as things are all over for the Bunnies with winning anything this year and with Bennet! Things are not looking good with Bennett just like things did look good with the Knights when Bennet finished at the Knights! I'm very disappointed of how things are panning out at the Bunnies! hope I'm very wrong!
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
steveng - what do you mean Bennett might a Knights? Your comment has me worried, and I fear you may be on to something. I didn't pay too much attention to The Knights when Bennett coached them but I know it didn't end well. Typically a coach of WB's stature has a big say on who stays or goes at a club, and the fact that Reynolds has exited, was blessed by Bennett, smells. Reynold's was manipulated by Bennett to leave souths next year and join his mates at the Broncs whom may see him there next year. Bennett has confirmed that he will definitely be in Brisbane next year, Coincidence? I think Bennett is devious and may well have a Brisbane plan, and Adam wont be the last to leave the Bunnies to head up north. Given this potential conflict, and being majorly responsible (in my view) for the Reynold's loss, and the 50 -0 drubbing, the club should sack Bennett and have JD take over immediately. More so is they lose against a hapless Sharks team tonight, we will have no chance against Panthers and Eels so it could well be 4 losses in a row, and loss one of our greatest ever players. Time to get rid of Bennett.
Adam
Roar Guru
Gameboys are probably worth heaps now!
Nico
Roar Rookie
Quite a turn for the books for a club that once boasted so many qld stars with New South Welshman Staggs, Haas, Lodge, Pangai and now Reynolds occupying key positions in the side, with Reynolds looking set to be the first NSW’man to captain. With many suggesting the signing of Reynolds sounds end of Milford at the club, I think Milf and Reynolds could actually wind up being a half decent halves duo with Reynolds pulling the strings allowing Milf to unlock more of his running game al la Walker/Reynolds at Souths
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
:unhappy: :crying:
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
I understand what you are saying, but I think Reynolds is ‘lucky’ that he is only on $750k. When it turns out he isn’t the saviour the Courier Mail will make him out to be, people will adjust their expectations and judge him on his performance game to game. He only has to play to the standard of a second tier player. That probably won’t be a problem for him. By contrast, if Hunt and Milford don’t play like Thurston and Cameron Smith every week, it is fair and reasonable for people to say that they haven’t justified their pay checks because they haven’t. As long as they keep cashing the cheques, the expectation remains.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Agree Milford will do well with Reynolds, they would make a good team. As for Lockyer his used-by date is well and truly expired.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
What's worse than the Rabbitohs losing Reynolds to the Broncos? Milford joining the Sharks from the Broncos :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Have Blake Taafe and Lachlan Ilias ever played first grade? Your argument would be like the roosters getting rid of Tedesco in 2022 because they have Suaalii sitting in reserves, or Manly getting rid of Turbo because he has a younger brother in the lower grades. Nonsense. Reynolds has (with Nathan Cleary) the best kicking half in the game and is one of the best organisers of the mid field in the last decade, and by all counts he has a good 3 years in him (look at DCE or Benji M).
Stephen
Guest
Head up Steveng.....we have Taafe and Ilias waiting in the wings. Personally I can't wait to see how they go in the top grade.
Soda
Roar Rookie
Yeah alright. What I meant was about expectation. Being signed as a saviour is a tough assignment. So I don't think they are entirely different and I didn't say they were carbon copies either. I was trying to make the point of the demanding expectations of fans. I think its a good singing.
ken gargett
Guest
that is very tough on the brick.
ken gargett
Guest
GH, your post is spot on. we have been hopelessly lacking direction. if he stays fit, an issue with everyone of course, great signing. no idea if they are serious about staggs at 5/8. he played one cracking game for tonga? i think. but you don't want to base the future on a single game. talented footballer though. word seems to be he wants to play there. farnsworth and nui in the centres and apparently brenko lee is a likely signing. perhaps nui to fullback and izzako to the wing (or bench). gamble would be a really good bench option for mine. cover the halves. presumably fill in when needed at hooker and big enough that he could play back row for short periods if essential. but we desperately needed an old head for the young blokes. good young bunch of forwards but now they have some direction from behind. plus the comp's best goal kicker. what is not to love!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Gagai, Capewell and Sua are the targets along it sounds like Branko Lee. It will take 10 years of rebuilding youth development to get back to the days of 3 or 4 non QLDers in the Squad.
steveng
Roar Rookie
It’s not Kevie and the Broncos, it’s the Bunnies management that have absolutely lost the plot, don’t know what these guys are thinking? Yes Reynolds is a hit and miss player and is susceptible to injuries (that the Broncs need to be careful of) but and if you look overall, he’s been hot and cold as a halfback in the last 7 years. Sure he’s been a prolific tactical kicker and goal kicker in those 7 years for the Bunnies but what did we achiave? This is especially with the new rules with the 2 points FG’s and goal kicking coming into play more and more which he won us a game just recently, can’t work it out? Maybe Mitchell will fill that role, as he’s got a great kick on him and there is potential there?
andrew
Roar Rookie
Yes I'll see how Saints go against a weakened Melbourne. I think Kevvie's thinking recruiting a few star players will save his coaching career. He's after another Rabbitoh, Gagai? I like Kevvie but i just don't rate him as a top line coach.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Me thinks that too, it could be Seibs Mk2? As far as the Saints are concerned there are big big ??? Marks there mate :laughing:
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: