Selfless Ilias deal helps Souths keep stars
IT has been revealed rising Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias “took unders” on his new deal in a bid to keep the club’s superstars together.
Ilias recently signed a threeyear extension until 2025, which his manager Braith Anasta said was for less money so Souths could retain the likes of Latrell Mitchell.
Anasta also revealed on NRL 360 that Ilias played this season for around $600,000 less than what Adam Reynolds was asking to stay at the club.
“We signed him on a threeyear deal from this year and I can say it’s a good deal but he took unders,” Anasta said.
“Because he wanted to keep Latrell and (Cody) Walker and (Damien) Cook and (Cameron)
Murray because he could see himself in a good system where he could win a premiership.
“We didn’t want to go to the open market because he was happy there and playing good football and protecting the team, and he wants that team to stay together because he can see a premiership in the next couple of years.
“I think Reynolds has been a great buy (for Brisbane), it’s a win-win. Souths have made the right decision and the Broncos have got Reynolds.
“But also Reynolds is 32 and the last six games of the competition this year the Broncos were terrible and he didn’t complete two of those games.”
Veteran journalist Paul Crawley said Ilias has “done a fantastic job” this season but argued Souths should have kept Reynolds.
“I don’t think the Rabbitohs have gone backwards but I look back on the Adam Reynolds situation and I still for the life of me don’t think they have become a better football team without Adam Reynolds,” he said.
“In my opinion, the Rabbitohs should have done more to keep Adam Reynolds.”