Reynolds a successor to ‘Tooves’ – Sutton
WHEN it comes to rugby league’s toughest pound-forpound player, it is hard to go past former Manly skipper Geoff Toovey.
Standing at 168cm (fivefoot-six) and weighing in at 70kg, Toovey looked more like a trackwork jockey than an NRL warrior.
“Tooves” never let his pbvious size disadvantage dictate his success.
The Sea Eagles, NSW and Australia hooker played 286 first-grade games, which included a World Cup title in 1995 and a premiership in 1996.
Fifteen years after Toovey’s retirement, South Sydney veteran John Sutton believes he has found another pint-sized hero to rival the legendary Sea Eagle. “I think Adam Reynolds is just as tough as Tooves,” Sutton said.
“Adam’s shoulders aren’t 100 per cent but he plays through the pain. He is a real goer.
“He is only a little bloke and he rips in and gets through a lot of defence because people try and run at him. I thought he was enormous for us against the Dragons in defence and obviously in attack with those three field goals.
“He gets targeted but he always puts his body on the line and against the Dragons he was actually running people back with his tackling.
“We need another big one from him this week to make the grand final.”
Souths fittingly play archrivals the Sydney Roosters in tonight’s preliminary final.
The foundation club grudge match will double as the last ever match at Allianz Stadium before the ground is renovated.
Sutton has fond memories of the old Sydney Football Stadium, which was formerly the Rabbitohs’ home venue.
“It is still my favourite ground to play at,” Sutton said. “I love playing there ever since we first used it as our home ground.
“It is like a home game for us when we play there, so I’m very excited to be playing there this week against the Roosters.
“It is like a fan’s dream with us two going at it for a spot in the grand final.
“Hopefully it is a sell out and all the Souths members and fans are out there.”
Even if Souths lose tonight, Sutton plans to play again next season.
He turns 34 in November but he believes he still has plenty left in his ageing body.
“I definitely want to go around again next year but nothing has been done yet,” he said. “I’m just focusing on the finals and hopefully we can talk after the season and come up with something.”