Adam Reynolds has played down suggestions he could be interested in a move back to South Sydney, insisting he hasn’t had any conversations with the Rabbitohs. The Brisbane Broncos champion is off contract at the end of 2026, and insists he hasn’t decided whether to retire or keep playing into 2027.
Reports emerged recently that he could be keen to reunite with former coach Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs, where he won the first of his two premierships in 2014. The 35-year-old played 231 games for the Bunnies from 2012 to 2021, but left in rather tumultuous fashion when only offered a new one-year deal.
He’s since won another premiership with the Broncos, and could push his career into a 16th season in 2027. The halfback has an offer to join Brisbane’s coaching staff if he retires, and there’s also the slight – less likely – chance he could join a third club.
Adam Reynolds (L) has played down suggestions he could move back to Souths. Image: Getty
Speaking on Tuesday ahead of the Australian PGA Championship Pro-Am golf tournament, Reynolds insisted he hadn’t had any conversations with the Rabbitohs. “I don’t know if I will be good enough to go around again in another 12 months. I may be. I may not,” he told AAP.
“It is always good to be wanted but realistically Brisbane is home for me and it would be tough to leave this place. I have a lot of respect for Wayne and love what he is doing. I think he is setting that club up for success and I wish him all the best, but I’ve had no conversations.
“I suppose the start of the season will give me an indication of how the body and mind is feeling (about playing into 2027). The mind is the most important thing, whether it still wants to go another 12 months. Those questions will answer themselves throughout the season.”
Adam Reynolds and Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs in 2020. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Adam Reynolds says Brisbane is home
Reynolds revealed in his autobiography last month how close he actually came to joining the Wests Tigers before he elected to extend for 2026 with Brisbane. “Some nights I’d go to bed convinced I was going to sign with the Tigers,” the 35-year-old wrote.
“The family would remain in Brisbane, but the Tigers were happy for me to make frequent trips back and forth to Queensland. It was hugely appealing.
“But then I kept asking myself how on earth I could ever leave Brisbane and my mates at the Broncos. The money was good from the Tigers, and the reports I was giving up close to $1 million by staying put were not wide of the mark. But I made the call to stay put, and I couldn’t be happier.”
RELATED:
Tellingly, he stated: “Brisbane will be where we spend the rest of our lives”. He wrote: “The eventual goal is to become an NRL head coach. If you asked me where I saw myself in 10 years’ time, it would be as an NRL coach, hopefully with a few premierships under the belt, and only a few extra kilos around the waistline.
“Once I arrived in Brisbane, I found myself helping some of the younger players, and being blown away by how good it felt to see their immediate improvement from one little bit of advice you passed onto them. Brisbane will be where we spend the rest of our lives.”
Adam Reynolds with his family before his 300th NRL game. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
On Tuesday he revealed the calf he injured in the grand final is now fully healed, and won’t cause any issues in pre-season. “I am feeling really good. I have been running a fair bit in the off-season and playing Oztag as well with my daughters which is quite fun,” he said. “I am back to 100 per cent and ready to get into it. I am back (at training) on December 12.”
with AAP