Bennett pays record-breaking Reynolds ultimate tribute

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett paid tribute to Eric Simms for setting the standard for his players after Adam Reynolds overtook the club legend as greatest points scorer on Friday night.

Reynolds surpassed Simms' 46-year record in style as the Rabbitohs piled on six tries to send the Eels' premierships hopes into chaos with four rounds remaining in the regular season.

The Rabbitohs fan-favourite went past Simms (1841 points) with a 45th-minute conversion.

"Eric Simms was a great player for the club so it's only fitting someone of his equal gets the record of most points," Bennett said post-match.

"He retired in 1975 so it's quite a remarkable record and a pretty remarkable player to do it.

"There's been a lot of players between 1975 and 2021. It's a great credit to him and Eric for the standard he set for men to follow.

"It's wonderful for him and a great reward for his dedication.

"And the thing you learn if you watch the Olympics is nothing is impossible. It might take 46 years again but it will be done [again]."

Reynolds said his journey as a local junior to the history books was driven by the names listed on honour boards and past teammates at the club.

"My job is pretty simple here, I get asked to lead the boys around and play consistent footy and that's purely my focus," he said.

"I couldn't have done it without my teammates. I'm lucky to be in a position to kick a lot of goals.

"It's something I'll look back at the end of my career. I'm very honoured and privileged to be mentioned alongside people like Eric Simms."

South Sydney cruised to a 32-0 lead midway through the second half to leapfrog the Panthers into second spot as Bennett and Reynolds eye leaving Redfern at season's end with a much bigger prize.

"I'm still chasing a few milestones before I leave," Reynolds said, eluding to a title.

"There's a lot more I want to do at Souths while I'm still here."

Bennett is also eager to join Reynolds in helping the Rabbitohs end their run of three straight preliminary finals by playing in a grand final.

Unsurprisingly, Bennett wasn't getting carried away.

"I don't think we've done anything special but we've just got a special group of men here," he said.

"That's part of the equation [reaching the grand final], that's part of the challenge.

"We'll let you know when we take it. It's a case of getting our game together.

"That game tonight was a semi-final game. I know what the scoreboard didn't say that but I know what Parramatta are.

"They're the type of games we need right now. We got challenged tonight big time and we answered that.

"As we go up the ladder and play other teams we'll be challenged again."

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