Eric is glad its Adam The sad twist to a record-breaking moment for Souths

Eric Simms, sadly, will not be able to congratulate Adam Reynolds when he breaks his long-standing points record for South Sydney on Friday night. Or in the game or two after that.

Alzheimer’s Disease snuck up on Simms about a decade ago. Family members noticed his memory was not as sharp as it had been a few years beforehand.

Eric Simms kicking a match-winning goal in 1967.

The past 18 months have been the worst. Simms will sometimes identify himself in photos, and occasionally smile in the direction of his wife Charlene, who has not been able to visit her husband in his Sydney care home since the latest COVID lockdown returned.

“I know this, if there’s one person Eric will be glad to see break his record, it is Adam Reynolds,” Charlene told the Herald.

“Records get broken, and good luck to Adam. Nobody can hold records forever. It’s been a long time. Eric would say the same thing. He’s not a nasty person, he’s a very humble person, and he’d be proud Adam is the one breaking it.

“He won’t be aware of it on Friday. Eric is no longer aware he played rugby league.”

Adam Reynolds is eight points behind Eric Simms’ all-time tally.Credit:Getty, Fairfax Archive

Simms turned 76 this week. He retired in 1975 having scored a remarkable 1841 points during 11 seasons for Souths. It is a tremendous record considering Souths have been playing for 113 years, and 1150 players have worn the famous myrtle and cardinal.

Reynolds is sitting on 1834 points after ten seasons in the top flight, and needs eight points against the Eels. Given that’s just under Reynolds’ per-game average of 8.2 points â€" and Souths have scored 110 points the past fortnight â€" there is a strong chance the much-loved skipper will pull clear this round.

South Sydney and Kangaroos’ super-boot Eric Simms kicks a penalty goal in 1968.Credit:John Patrick O’Gready/Fairfax Media

Contrary to many players who claim to not pay attention to stats, Reynolds fully appreciates the chance to become the Rabbitohs’ all-time point scorer, particularly given he is packing his bags for Brisbane next year.

Had it not been for COVID, Souths officials were keen for Simms or one of his family members to present Reynolds the game ball when he looked certain to set a new mark.

So it bittersweet for the Rabbitohs that such a proud moment for the club will not be passed on in person by Simms, a Bunnies legend.

There is a belief the head knocks from his playing days contributed to Simms’ dementia - several of his teammates have been struck down by the same unforgiving disease - but Charlene doesn’t blame the game, nor does she want to detract from Reynolds’ special achievement.

Reynolds met Simms during a Return to Redfern game in 2009, and will be flattered to overtake the man whose magical right boot helped deliver Souths four titles during his time at the club.

Reynolds told the Herald it would be the perfect night if he breaks the point-scoring record and Souths march to a ninth straight victory.

“As a fan of the club growing up I always had a lot of interest in the history, and Eric’s name kept coming up with the amount of points he scored and obviously what a great kicker he was,” Reynolds said.

“It’s a record I’ll look back on proudly when it’s all said and done. At the moment I’m just doing my part for the club â€" we’re all trying to achieve just the one goal, which is to win the comp.”

Of the points Reynolds has scored, nothing will top the try he scored in the 2014 Grand Final win. There was also the four-pointer to break the hearts of Roosters fans in 2012 when Souths trailed their bitter rivals by ten points with two minutes to go.

South Sydney’s top points scorers

Eric Simms - 1,841 (23 tries, 803 goals, 86 field goals), 206 games, 1965-75

Adam Reynolds - 1,834 (37 tries, 831 goals, 22 field goals), 224 games*, 2012-

Bernie Purcell - 1,128 (36 tries, 510 goals), 173 games, 1949-60

Benny Wearing - 836 (144 tries, 202 goals), 172 games, 1921-33

Nathan Merritt - 653 (146 tries, 34 goals, 1 field goal) 218 games, 2002-03, 06-14

As Parramatta’s halfback Mitchell Moses returns from a back fracture he suffered in his Origin debut, Reynolds has played through his own pain.

“I had that little tear in the back of the quad, not the front of the quad, so I was still able to run without pain,” Reynolds said. “It was where the hammy and quad attach. I did it with the first tackle I made in that game against the Warriors a couple of weeks ago. Bayley Sironen ran over the top of me. There are no dramas now.”

Reynolds praised Latrell Mitchell and his form the past two weeks when he physically dominated the Warriors and Dragons.

“He’s in better shape for the run through Origin, he’s been doing extras, and I think it means a bit more to him at this time of year ... he wants to put his stamp on things and do something special at this club - he’s a very special player,” Reynolds said of about his star No. 1.

Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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