Reynolds shocked by Souths’ collapse, questions game plan for Ilias
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Adam Reynolds was “extremely surprised” his former club South Sydney failed to reach the NRL finals, and believes Lachlan Ilias had been unfairly blamed for following an out-dated game plan.
Broncos skipper Reynolds flew to Sydney to attend the NRL finals launch on Monday as some of his old Souths teammates were still trying to comprehend how they went from leading the competition after 11 rounds to missing out on September completely.
Souths halfback Ilias came under fire over the weekend from former Souths No.7s Craig Field and Craig Coleman, but Reynolds questioned if his successor was more a victim of an attacking style that worked for him when he was still at the club.
“I feel for Lachie, and it’s never easy taking over from a player who was there for 10 years, won a grand final, and just been in a grand final,” Reynolds said.
“The pressure and expectation from the get-go was always going to be a lot greater compared to another halfback.
“I don’t know if they’ve got the right game plan he wants to play. The game plan they have now is the one implemented when I was there, which involves playing on the ball and creating space for your outside men.
Adam Reynolds was surprised his former team missed out on the finals series.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
“That was something I could do really well for Cody [Walker] and Latrell [Mitchell] and other players. I see Lachie as a bit more of a runner, but he’s been thrown and asked to play that role.”
Field took to Facebook over the weekend and posted: “I’ve got to get it off my chest – don’t care what the people at Souths think – but number 7 is not up to what this coach thinks.” Coleman, who has criticised Ilias on several occasions, liked Field’s post.
Jack Wighton joins the club next year as a centre, but some commentators, including James Graham, said on Triple M Wighton could be best suited moving into the halves and linking with Walker.
Reynolds was convinced Souths could go all the way this year after they thrashed Brisbane in round nine, but said it was a completely different team the Broncos later met – and defeated – in round 21.
“I remember playing them at Suncorp and thinking, ‘wow, this team has gone to another level’, but then playing them later in the year on the Sunshine Coast and there being a different vibe,” Reynolds said.
“They didn’t seem connected as a group. I’m no longer inside those four walls, so I don’t know what’s going on, but I still feel for my mates there. I still get along well with ‘Cooky’ [Damien Cook], Cody, Latrell, Campbell Graham, Cam Murray … you never want to see them down like they are.
“I still speak to Lachie and check in to make sure he’s all right. I know the pressure he’s under as young fella trying to make his own career. He’s getting blamed for a lot he shouldn’t be getting blamed for. As long he’s got support around him, he’ll be right.”
Reynolds declared himself a certain starter on Friday night against the Broncos after feeling a “pop” in his calf at training in the bye round, which was later diagnosed as a grade-two tear.
He was aware Melbourne had won their past 14 straight games against Brisbane, but a full-strength Broncos, including the return of Pat Carrigan (foot) was not one to be taken lightly.
“Hoodoos are only hoodoos if you believe in them; if we play our brand of football and get it right on the night, I don’t think anyone can beat us,” Reynolds said.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Most Viewed in Sport
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article