From the Sydney Morning Herald,
REYNOLDS DEAL COULD FORCE WALKER OUT
The Adam Reynolds contract situation at South Sydney is in part an issue of the club’s making because it bowed to fan power and re-signed favourite son Alex Johnston last year. Souths had budgeted for Johnston to be off their books and the money they’ve paid him could have been used to help keep Reynolds.
The Rabbitohs know signing Reynolds will make it hard for them to keep his halves partner, Cody Walker (pictured), who will be looking for a new deal come November. The club has already told this column it can’t keep Dane Gagai and Reynolds.
The Rabbitohs’ reluctance to re-sign Reynolds on a long-term deal has led many people to wonder if there is more to it. There is. The board and chairman Nick Pappas are making a statement that this is how Souths do business now that Shane Richardson is not at the club.
There is no question that ego is playing a role in the way the Reynolds situation is being handled. Pappas and Richardson fell out over the manner in which Sam Burgess was medically retired and paid out. The new regime is doing it their way to make a point. Souths are using John Sutton and his willingness to do a yearby-year deal as the new benchmark.
From the Daily Telegraph,
Dane Gagai set to follow Adam Reynolds out door at Rabbitohs
South Sydney’s salary cap struggles seem certain to push Adam Reynolds out — and now another star is set to join him.
First Adam Reynolds, now Dane Gagai.
South Sydney’s bulging salary cap seems certain to push Reynolds out and now The Daily Telegraph has been told State of Origin star Gagai is almost certain to leave Redfern after this season.
Gagai’s manager Steve Gillis, revealed his star client had held unsuccessful extension talks with Souths and is ready to throw himself on the open market.
“Dane will go to market,” Gillis confirmed. “And I would anticipate that unless Souths’ cap position improves then there’s a real chance he won’t be there. He understands that.
“In saying that, things can change but Dane is happy to engage in conversations with other clubs.
“Souths have explained to Dane that their cap position is tight and Dane has also had a conversation with Wayne (Bennett) as well. It’s not personal. Everything is cap-driven. Dane is playing great footy and is open-minded about his future.
“If you look across the board, there’s not many top-line, quality players on the market and I anticipate Dane is going to be in great demand from numerous clubs.
“The early rounds of the competition are also telling me that clubs are going to have to recruit and re-jig their rosters because there are some clubs that are paddling.”
Gun centre Kotoni Staggs has six clubs chasing him. Once Staggs can settle his future, probably by re-signing with Brisbane, then those clubs that miss out may direct their attention to Gagai.
“Once Staggs determines his future then I anticipate Dane will become the focus of great interest from clubs,” Gillis said. “Dane and Kotoni are by far the best centres on the market and we have teams that are struggling to score points.
“And Dane is a prolific, capable tryscorer. He’ll be popular.”
Gillis also manages Reynolds, who looks increasingly likely to end up with North Queensland Cowboys from next season.
Souths have not budged on offering their champion halfback a one-year deal, Reynolds wants three-years but would consider two-years.
Should the Rabbitohs continue to offer just the sole year, Reynolds would be forced to start negotiating with rival clubs.
Gillis will talk with Souths officials this week to try and determine Reynolds’ future.
“We will have conversations with Souths this week. I’ve got no idea (of the outcome) but we now have clubs expressing interest in Adam,” Gillis said.
“Obviously we are obliged to explore and engage in those conversations. Clubs will get more proactive regarding Adam if they have clarity as to whether or not he has any chance of staying.
“If he’s not staying, then I would anticipate that clubs would increase their interest and they would be more likely to table offers for consideration.
“No-one is putting pressure on anyone. Souths are running their business as they see fit, which is fine. But Adam has to look at what is best for him.
“Adam has made it pretty clear that he’s not prepared to accept a one-year deal. Once we know Souths’ position, things will unravel pretty quickly.”
And with Cody Walker off contract after next season and chasing a long-term deal, Souths’ window for premiership success may start to close in coming years.
Walker is actually a year older than Reynolds but will be seeking a two or three-year extension sometime next year.
