Rabbitohs back-rower Glenn Stewart's decision to depart at season's end is a massive blow to the club's fortunes, according to halfback Adam Reynolds.
On Wednesday night it was confirmed Stewart would end his 202-game NRL career after earning five caps each for Australia and New South Wales, to sign a three-year deal with the Catalans Dragons.
Speaking ahead of South Sydney's do-or-die clash with the Sharks on Sunday, Reynolds said Stewart's wealth of knowledge would be missed, especially by the Rabbitohs' youngsters.
"He's a good mate of mine. I've formed a good relationship with him over the year and it's going to be good for him and his family. I don't know how our friendship clicked into gear, it sort of just happened," Reynolds laughed.
"I tend to get along with the older blokes a bit more than the younger blokes. I just like to keep everyone happy and in saying all of this we have [Glenn] for the rest of this year so we know he is going to give 110 per cent.
"He has lots of knowledge of the game too and he's definitely taught a lot of players on this team. He has been a wonderful hand so we'll be trying to suck every bit of knowledge out of him we can before he leaves."
Reynolds however was buoyed by the return of fullback and captain Greg Inglis from a knee injury to face Cronulla.
While Inglis adds another dimension to South Sydney's attack, it also gives the opportunity for winger Alex Johnston and centre Dylan Walker to return to their regular roles in the team.
"Inglis is just another set of eyes. He definitely compliments Luke Keary and my game. Just having him in the side everyone gains a bit of confidence there," Reynolds said.
"When you have him floating out the back, teams may take your eyes of you and look at him. He also calls a lot of things on the run and he's an extra ball player so he definitely takes pressure of us.
"He has a good balance of what goes – Keary and I call the shots and he just falls out the back there."
Reynolds added it hasn't been hard to focus on the task at hand despite the interruptions of Stewart's departure and George Burgess's two-week suspension.
"When you're out on the field none of those things matters – it's just about buying in and turning up with the right mentality," he said.
"The past three weeks we haven't been up to scratch and it's more about ourselves this week. It's up to us, we have to go out there and perform. If we don't, we're going home. I'm sure semi-finals bring the best out of everyone so we're excited."
