It was a momentous occasion in our Round 8 clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium as Souths Junior and Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds played his 100th Rabbitohs and NRL Game.
Having only returned from his broken jaw the previous week, Maguire had faith in his halfback to be able to handle a ruthless Broncos opposition at Suncorp, which a tough Reynolds managed as he was consistently targeted by Broncos front men.
Maguire was the Coach who gave Reynolds his first start in season 2012 – the then-unknown local product answering the call from the then-newly-appointed Rabbitohs mentor to take the Red and Green reins at halfback.
The man affectionately known as ‘Reyno’ around Redfern made his debut in Round 1 of that season against the Roosters at ANZ Stadium, before going on to solidify his spot in the team by helping his side to a Preliminary Finals finish.
“It’s pleasing as a coach to have given a player his first game – for that player to go on and achieve 100 is a great achievement,” said Maguire.
“It’s something he’s been able to achieve with all his teammates and I’m sure there are many more in front of him. But milestones like this are important and we celebrate them as a Club.
“To play one game is an achievement, but to play 100 is something special. The way he’s grown into the position and how he’s grown as a person and as a leader is something I’ve been proud to watch.”
Mr. 100!#GoRabbitohs #NRLBroncosSouths pic.twitter.com/e1YKfNgEI3
— South Sydney (@SSFCRABBITOHS) April 22, 2016
Reynolds came up through the Souths Junior ranks having played for the Kensington United Dragons as well as the Alexandria Rovers, before making his first grade debut and going on to play for City, the Prime Ministers’ XIII, the NRL and World All Stars and most recently the NSW Blues. For Maguire though, Reynolds is the proud local kid who bleeds Red and Green.
“He’s a born and bred South Sydney kid, so he lives and dies Red and Green,” said Maguire.
“Especially coming from the local area, he really has the potential to inspire a lot more kids to be able to look at him and know that you can achieve, no matter you come from in life.
“He’s got a family that he’s really proud of and they’re very proud of him too. The make-up of why he’s been so dedicated to what he’s doing can be seen in everything that he does. He has beautiful kids and a beautiful wife who are always behind him, supporting him in the ups and downs and going with him on that journey.”
Maguire spoke to Rabbitohs.com.au about what Reynolds provides for the team and the Club, emphasising that he is much more than just a goal-kicking whiz.
“The quality of Adam is him doing the things I suppose that a lot of people don’t tend to see,” said Maguire.
“It’s the little things – It’s him chasing back and competing at every play. He has a great competitive edge and he see’s everything as a challenge to rise up to.
“He would be the first to agree that there’s plenty of improvement left in him and his game, and he wants to create more memories as we move forward.
“I suppose he’s a fair kicker too.”
