The South Sydney Rabbitohs find themselves at the centre of a raging social media storm this week, accused of a staggering lack of class and respect for a club legend.
The controversy erupted after the club's official TikTok account posted a now-deleted video that took a blatant and mocking swipe at their former premiership-winning halfback, Adam Reynolds. The video, set to the popular 'Oh No' audio trend, featured a caption that read: 'When your former halfback says he wants to play for a club that is a premiership threat', followed by a clip of Reynolds looking crestfallen on the field.
A Storm of Backlash from Fans and Pundits
The reaction from the rugby league community was swift and unforgiving. Fans flooded social media platforms, labelling the post as 'petty', 'childish', and 'embarrassing' for the historic club. Many long-time supporters expressed their deep disappointment, stating the act tarnished the club's reputation.
NRL pundits and commentators were equally scathing. The video was widely condemned as an unprofessional and needless attack on a player who gave over a decade of service to the Rabbitohs, culminating in the 2014 NRL Premiership victory that ended a 43-year drought for the club.
The Heart of the Matter: Reynolds' Acrimonious Exit
The TikTok jab cuts to the core of a sensitive issue for South Sydney fans. Reynolds, a local junior and one-club player until 2021, was sensationally not offered a long-term contract to finish his career at Redfern. His subsequent departure to the Brisbane Broncos was a bitter pill for many to swallow, a decision that has been heavily questioned as the Broncos have flourished with his guidance.
This video is seen as a sour response to Reynolds' success elsewhere and his recent comments about wanting to play for a title-contending team—a pointed remark given the Rabbitohs' current struggles on the ladder.
Damage Control: Club Silence and Deletion
In damage control mode, the Rabbitohs swiftly removed the video from their TikTok channel. However, the digital footprint of such missteps is permanent, with screenshots and recordings continuing to circulate online.
As of now, the club has yet to issue any formal public apology or statement regarding the incident, a silence that is only fuelling further criticism about their handling of the situation and their treatment of a modern great.
