Brisbane won’t rush into contract negotiations with Adam Reynolds despite coach Kevin Walters hinting his interest in the off-contract South Sydney star.
Reynolds sent another message about his playing future in Thursday night’s 35-6 win over the Broncos, playing a role in four of the Rabbitohs tries.
The 30-year-old also nailed the first two-point field goal of the year, as he again guided Souths with precision.
Reynolds was again told this week by Souths he would not be offered more than one guaranteed year at the club, with the premiership-winning halfback to look elsewhere.
The Broncos are certainly one club that could do with him.
Their last-tackle players were particularly poor on Friday night, while off-contract five-eighth Anthony Milford continues to be under pressure.
Tom Dearden has been juggled in and out of the club’s No.7 jersey all year, and was again taken off with 10 minutes to play at Stadium Australia.
Asked if Reynolds showed Brisbane precisely what they needed with their kicking options on Thursday, Walters was unequivocal in his praise.
“He shows every team he is the best kicker in the game, in my opinion,” the Broncos coach said.
“Not just our side, he kicks most teams to shame. He’s a good player and a valuable player for South Sydney.
“That’s for sure.”
Reynolds has already been approached by North Queensland, and could remain an option for several other clubs.
But Brisbane would pose as another serious option for the former NSW State of Origin playmaker.
“We were well aware of him before tonight,” Walters said.
“I’m not sure where he’s at with South Sydney. We will let him settle with what’s happening there.
“I have enough to worry about with our own side rather than who is going to be playing where next year.”
Meanwhile Walters defended Milford’s performance on Thursday night, just days after publicly stating the No.6 wasn’t playing well enough to earn a new deal.
“I thought he had probably his best game of the year tonight. Defensively he was much better,” Walters said.
“(The kicking) is (a concern). So many parts of our game to work on. It’s just a matter of where you start.”
Kotoni Staggs remains another option for Brisbane’s halves next year, with a new deal expected to be confirmed imminently.
Meanwhile Walters admitted Dearden was trying to become an NRL halfback in the worst possible setting.
“In the situation the team is in, it’s making it harder for him to develop his skills and be the player he can be,” he said.