Adam Reynolds celebrates his try against former club South Sydney in Brisbane’s 32-12 win at Accor Stadium.Adam Reynolds celebrates his try against former club South Sydney in Brisbane’s 32-12 win at Accor Stadium.W
At the kick-off Reynolds stood as close as he could to his old teammates, the arrowhead of his team’s attack. It was a statement. As play got underway he dropped behind the line, daring Souths forwards to come at him, while steering his side upfield, a jockey tucking low and whispering in the ear of his mount.
Between the big plays, the vision to try and the power to execute, was guile. As the Bunker ruled on a Souths no-try, Reynolds spoke calculatedly with the referee and linesmen. Where his opposite number and heir Lachlan Ilias took a penalty near the sideline and clunked a kick two metres upfield on the same side, Reynolds reefed it to the far side and made 25 metres.
As Reynolds lined up the conversion, Souths fans razzed him but their heart wasn’t in it. The club’s greatest point scorer, whom they’d loved for 231 games was mastering, nay monstering, his old team and all they could do was ask what if? Brisbane won 32-12 despite Souths’ 54% possession and 43 tackles to 13 inside the opposition 20. The difference – with a hand in four tries, one of his own and six goals from six attempts – was Reynolds.