Adam Reynolds hits back at Jason Demetriou in fresh twist to South Sydney furore

Brisbane halfback Adam Reynolds has hit back at Jason Demetriou after an apparent slight from the Rabbitohs coach at the veteran halfback. Reynolds is a legend at the Rabbitohs, having played the majority of his career at No.7 with the Bunnies - winning an NRL premiership with the club in 2014 and helping them reach seven preliminary finals.

The veteran halfback was effectively squeezed out of his boyhood club after only being offered a one-year extension by South Sydney in 2021. The Broncos seized on the situation by offering Reynolds a three-year deal from 2022 and the classy playmaker's move to Brisbane has helped transform them from wooden spooners in 2020 to genuine premiership contenders in 2023 and flying high in second spot on the ladder.

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Reynolds' departure from Redfern saw young half Lachlan Ilias entrusted with the huge task of trying to fill his predecessor's boots. Ilias has been solid - without being spectacular - for the Rabbitohs over the last two seasons and helped them make last year's preliminary final where they were defeated by eventual premiers Penrith.

Ilias is still only 23 and by no means considered the finished article, however the Rabbitohs have tipped him for greatness at the club. In fact, Demetriou insisted last week that Ilias was “going to be the best halfback the club has had in a long time”.

The comment certainly raised eyebrows considering Reynolds' standing at South Sydney. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald about the remark, the Brisbane halfback took his own swipe at Demetriou after accusing the Rabbitohs coach of taking "a little potshot" at him.

"I know he’s just sticking up for the halfback he’s got now and trying to give him a bit of confidence,” Reynolds said. “Whether he means it or not, I’m not too sure. One of the best coaches in the game, Wayne Bennett, told me if you start listening to the fans, you’ll end up sitting with them. I’m not sure whether he’s been influenced by noise from the fans."

While Reynolds concedes he's "not too worried about his (Demetrious's) opinion", the Broncos half said he thought "others might see it differently". The 33-year-old revealed he was more concerned about his new chapter at Brisbane and trying to help the Broncos clinch their first NRL premiership since 2006.

Adam Reynolds returns for high-flying Brisbane

The crafty halfback returns to action in Friday night's home match Parramatta knowing a win would all but secure a top-two finish and a home qualifying final for the Broncos. Reynolds missed the round 23 Queensland derby against the Cowboys with a groin complaint but they sill managed to get the two competition points without their talismanic leader.

Brisbane can rejoin Penrith on 38 competition points after Penrith's 24-12 win over Manly on Thursday night saw them jump two points clear on the top of the table. The Broncos will still be dreaming of clinching the minor premiership by finishing the regular season on top of the table but will likely have to rely on Penrith to slip up.

Even if Brisbane win on Friday night, their points differential is considerable inferior to Penrith's, with the Eels showdown followed by a bye before they round out the regular season with games against Canberra and Melbourne. The Panthers finish the season with an away game against the Titans in round 25, before home fixtures against the Eels and Cowboys.

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