Damien Cook has pleaded with good mate Adam Reynolds in a bid to convince him to stay at South Sydney with the halfback set to make a decision on his NRL future in the coming days.
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A big money contract from Brisbane is on the table for Reynolds as well as a deal to join Cronulla, with the Rabbitohs now seemingly at long odds to retain their local hero with a one-year extension.
Cook says the injured halfback has used his time off over the weekend to think about his future and the No.9 is holding out hope it's at Souths.
"I have had a chat with him where I've asked him to stay, he's a big reason why I come to the club in the first place, because he was the halfback," NSW Origin star Cook said on Monday.
"The likes of Sam (Burgess), Greg (Inglis) and Sutto (John Sutton) were all here too but Renno was the big one that stood out for me.
"I'd love for him to stay.
"Is it a cruel part of our game where you can't keep everyone? It is. But we'll see what happens."
Teammates have joked after Thursday night's shocking 50-0 loss to Melbourne that Reynolds' stock has risen after he missed the game with a thumb injury.
Souths have hinted Reynolds is an outside chance to play Cronulla in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium, which could be his new home ground if he takes up the Broncos deal.
"We might get an indication (of where he's going to sign) if he goes to Brisbane with us," Cook joked.
"Kevvie (Walters) flew down, so he might be going back up there to see him. Who knows."
Reynolds' halves partner Cody Walker was due to front for media on Monday but pulled out because he didn't feel "comfortable" given the loss and his own contract talks are ongoing with the club.
The players were embarrassed after their massive loss, which now means they'll have to defy history to become the first team to concede at least 50 points in a game and win the premiership that season.
"I've obviously heard that stat as well, once you get beaten by 50 you never win the premiership, but the rules have changed, we'll have to change history as well this year," Cook said.
"We've still got a lot of confidence, that's one thing we haven't lost from the weekend.
"From the weeks before we've got away with wins where we would have lost that in the past... there are parts of our game that we haven't got right and against a quality side like Melbourne who don't give anything away, we got found out."
Australian Associated Press
