Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns has handed South Sydney a monumental reality check over the contract standoff threatening tear club talisman Adam Reynolds away from Redfern.
The local junior is currently at loggerheads with the Rabbitohs over the length of a contract extension that could see the skipper walk to the Cowboys.
Souths officials are refusing to budge on a one-year deal that has already been tabled to Reynolds, while the 30-year-old is looking for at least two years.
"I can't see myself doing a one-year deal at the moment," Reynolds recently said. "I understand where the club are coming from, but does it make me happy? No. I feel like I've still got a lot to offer.
With a damaging kicking game and the ability to stitch together all the attacking assets that currently has the Rabbitohs in stellar form, Souths' hesitance with Reynolds baffled Johns.
And the greatest halfback to ever do it has offered a glowing endorsement of his fellow No.7, while handing the Bunnies a swift clip over the ears.
"You've got a local junior who has played his whole career there, the sprouts of him in the local community in the south Sydney area, everyone would know Adam and his family," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth. "He's won a grand final there.
"The way they all combine, he does his job, Cody does his job, Cook does his job, Latrell does his job – Why would you break that up?
"I think Adam Reynolds will play for another four or five years. His game isn't based around necessarily speed, it's around his kicking game.
"Without a doubt, without doubt – give him a two year and an option. It can be around success-based, if they reach semis, the option is taken up.
"The halfback tree, there's not many halfbacks out there. Two years, is perfect. Get it done."
NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler agreed that a two-year deal was appropriate but said he wouldn't offer anything more for fear of losing up-and-coming talent.
"Two years I would for sure. I wouldn't do longer," Fittler said.
"If you look at the Cowboys, think about it. The Cowboys let go Kikau, they let go Brandon smith, they let go of Kalyn Ponga because they wanted to be loyal to some older players – so you had to let those other players go.
"But he's been injured the past couple of years, he's been out a fair bit. I'm on both sides. I think two years is perfect. Any longer, I'd stay away. Sometimes if you keep those players too long, it can cost you."
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