South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds says his playmaking confidence has been boosted after linking late in the season in the halves with rookie Luke Keary.
Keary's return to the Rabbitohs outfit after suffering a pectoral muscle injury at the pre-season Auckland Nines has coincided with a rise in form for the oft-maligned Reynolds.
The 24-year-old starred in the Rabbitohs' 40-24 win over Manly in their qualifying final two weeks ago in perhaps his most impressive effort since his first grade debut in 2012.
And the nuggety Reynolds says the confidence that 22-year-old Keary exudes has rubbed off on him, as John Sutton moved into the back-row to make way for Souths' new halves combination.
"Luke is a good young kid, he has a great head on him and he doesn't take a backward step," Reynolds said on Tuesday.
"He has a lot of confidence and he has shown that over the time he has been in first grade and I am definitely confident beside him.
"It is good to see him like that and to learn from that.
"He has worked really hard to comeback from that injury.
"We are not feeling any pressure about the game, we are feeling relaxed."
It was a sentiment echoed by fullback Greg Inglis in regard to Souths' demeanour across the board, when asked about the differences between now and the lead up to their successive preliminary finals losses.
"It's hard to describe. It's just nice and refreshing," Inglis said.
"I think we were probably over-thinking about it too much (last year).
"This year, it's got that feeling about everyone just sitting back and having fun."
The battle between Reynolds and his fellow in-form No.7 Mitchell Pearce will go some way to deciding who progresses through to the grand final.
"I'm a different type of player to Mitchell Pearce," Reynolds said.
"But that is not taking anything away from him, he is playing some good footy.
"I just have to play my role in the team which is different to his."
"They are a good side, they are the minor premiers and he played a big part in that.
"It will all come down to our preparation."
Reynolds and Ben Te'o were absent through suspension when the Roosters beat Souths 22-18 in round 26, while Jake Friend (lung) was absent for the premiers.
Te'o returns from a four-game ban this week.
"He is a great part of the squad," Reynolds said.
"He has represented Queensland and we have missed him the last four weeks, getting him back is just a bonus."
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