The absence of Adam Reynolds was felt more by his old team South Sydney than his new team Brisbane in Round 1 and the Rabbitohs’ controversial decision to let the club legend walk could have huge ramifications for their premiership hopes.
Former Kangaroos five-eighth Matty Johns labelled South Sydney’s call to only offer Reynolds a one-year deal a “crazy decision” while future Immortal Cameron Smith said star five-eighth Cody Walker looked disinterested in the upset loss to the Broncos.
Reynolds missed the match after contracting COVID-19 recently but will make his club debut for Brisbane in this Sunday’s road game against Canterbury.
Rookie halfback Lachlan Ilias was thrown his old red and green No.7 jersey in Round 1 and is likely to remain in the role to give him a few weeks to establish himself as a first-grader despite the 11-4 surprise defeat.
With star fullback Latrell Mitchell returning from suspension, New coach Jason Demetriou could have switched Blake Taaffe to the halves for Thursday’s trip to Melbourne but he has reportedly suffered an ankle injury which will keep him sidelined for a few weeks. Mitchell could have also been tried at five-eighth with Walker moving to halfback.
“What we saw again from Souths was the crazy decision to allow Adam Reynolds to leave the club,” Johns said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It just changes the whole dynamic of the football side. Ilias is a very good player and he’ll end up going on to play 200 games. But it takes you 30 to 40 games to not just get used to the pace of NRL football but then on top of that to organise other guys into shape.
“They were saying he’s a very good talker and a good organiser, but this is another step up. It just puts a huge strain. You can see how much adjusting they have to do.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“I couldn’t understand the Adam Reynolds decision back then and I don’t understand it now.”
Smith said Walker did not step up to the task of being the chief playmaker in South Sydney’s first NRL outing since Reynolds headed north in the off-season.
“You could actually see the frustration build with Cody as the game went on,” Smith said.
“He withdrew from the game even earlier than 10 minutes to go. He looked like he wasn’t interested.
“He’s going to have to learn how to adapt (because) the unfortunate thing is that Adam Reynolds isn’t coming back. He’s going to have to be a little more patient within those 80 minutes that he’s playing.”
Although the Storm suffered injuries to key trio Brandon Smith (out for a month with a broken hand), Christian Welch (Achilles, season) and George Jennings (ACL, season), they will be boosted by the return of Cameron Munster, Chris Lewis and Harry Grant from suspension as they look to go 2-0 after beating the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Was more like a heart-lige injury.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Yeah no worries, coppa
JennyThePenny
Guest
Yeah that’s more than a bit weird, let it be said.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Quite so. For example: "In today's usage, disinterested most often means ... whereas uninterested simply means ... . Interestingly, when these words were first introduced their meanings were the reverse" Merriam-Webster
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Aorta? You can yourself. Tim Elbra Senior Producer Channel Nine Wide World of Sports 24 Artarmon Road Willoughby NSW 2068 Get on with it.
Adam
Roar Guru
Cam Murray, who was probably best on ground for the Bunnies? Are you jealous of his luscious locks?
Adam
Roar Guru
Bit rough on Bennett. Succession planning is for the board and list managers. He told them to retain Reynolds and no one in the club backrooms wanted to listen. Other than that the side is essentially the same that made the grand final last year...
Adam
Roar Guru
You might need to look up the definition of banter...
Adam
Roar Guru
Yep he definitely got a corked thigh during that game.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
He didn't look interested... That's what I said about the whole Rabbitohs side except for Jai Arrow and Cam Murray. Well, they better get interested quick! They have the Storm, the Roosters and the Panthers in the next 3 weeks.
Dutski
Roar Guru
There was a 2 minute passage of play that really caught my eye. Play had broken down and Walker meandered across the field at a literal walk before handing it to his rookie halves partner to take a hit up. Then came a kick and Walker arrived late and went in hard on a player lying on the ground. Next tackle he’s walking it back on the blind side, back to the play. Not keen to do the hard stuff at that point in the game when you’d expect an origin experienced half to lift his side with effort.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That is not entirely true.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
I was sure we were all big enough to wear a bit of stick in the form of footy banter. Making a note that Phil is not.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
What I saw on the weekend confirmed the doubts I already had - young blokes who enjoy playing footy, some with talent, who had no-one showing them what to do when the other lot got on top and stayed there. Souths management, including Bennett, clearly gave way too little time and attention to succession planning which, given the names and commercial success of many of the directors of the business entities, simply beggars belief. No-one being gr00med and fashioned into the captain's role? The oracle didn't leave much for them to go on with. Last year was their best opportunity, and it will be some years before a similar one emerges. There is a false expectation that Mitchell's return will offer some leadership - there is no evidence that he brings that capability, he plays as an individual. Cody Walker? Nah - just two years ago this bloke was performing flying kung fu kicks in a drunks' street brawl with the mob from around the corner back home in Casino. At age 30 he did not have the temperament or the wit to avoid the quicker sharp young blokes who would value a well known scalp. Blamed it on a death in the family. Nah.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Could someone tell Cameron Smith that the word he wants is “uninterested”, not “disinterested”? They have quite different meanings and yes, it does matter, especially if he is being paid lotza motza to be a commentator.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Geez, JFP, you sound more like a whinger than Souths fans. Do you have anything positive to contribute here??
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Cam Murray showed about the same level of leadership as Darius did. Don’t need to remind anyone where that mob ended up.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
5 mths hiding in a cave since Grand Final and come back after a loss. Surely there’s a pent up whinge about something?
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes good points made in this article and that is whats happened but its only early. Also, it’s not looking great for the next 3 rounds but I’m keeping my faith up as the Bunnies will come good and I’ll give them the R1 slack :laughing:
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Bennett added Arrow and Mitchell to an already strong roster and as last season progressed the players worked out that they had a good enough roster to win the prize. That gave them confidence and momentum. Do they really believe they can win it this year? I've got my doubts. Mitchell is the key.