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Josh Reynolds says he feels "sick in the stomach" at the prospect of being squeezed out of his beloved Bulldogs, admitting Thursday night's win against Brisbane was a reminder to himself of why he belongs in the blue and white.
After what he described as a "soul-searching week", Reynolds answered the call after heavy criticism following his team's dismal showing against Manly in the 36-0 drubbing in round four.
Reynolds was one of Canterbury's best in the gutsy 10-7 win over the Broncos at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night, conceding it was his desire to prove to himself he was still worthy of the Bulldogs' No.6 jersey that inspired the performance.
"It was a soul-searching week. To be flogged like that against a team that we thought we had their measure, it was a big wake-up call," Reynolds said following the victory against Brisbane.
"I don't think we've ever had a loss like that in the five or six years we've been together as a core group. There were some pretty white faces going into training on Monday. But it shows we've still got it. It really does. You can say you want to go out there and prove people wrong, prove your doubters wrong, but really you just have to prove to yourself that you've still got it.
"Honestly. That's what I was doing all week. I was copping it. A couple of other boys were copping it. I just said, you know what, I was watching a couple of things from the last couple of years and it's the same core guys that have come up with massive plays to get us where we were. That was a big thing for me. I had to go searching a bit to make sure I could still play the game."
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The future of the former State of Origin-winning five-eighth remains up in the air as Canterbury weigh up the direction they will head in 2018.
The off-contract Reynolds grew up in the area and has no desire to leave the Bulldogs, admitting it was difficult to fathom the idea of donning a rival club jersey.
"Honestly mate, it is hard for me to think that," Reynolds said.
"It really is. It makes me a bit sick in the stomach. I don't want to comment too much on that at the moment because I'm not 100 per cent on what's going on.
"I'm letting my manager do everything. But I love the club, mate. Let's be honest. I was born there. Nights like this make me realise that I think I suit the club."
Reynolds has long been trying to contain his emotions on the field after a career marred by brain explosions. However there was little he could do to contain his passion on an important night for the club.
"It's funny, when they were setting up for that field goal on the last before half-time, I wanted to just run up, run out of the line and get [Jordan] Kahu but Jacko [Josh Jackson] said 'mate, don't you dare'," Reynolds said.
"For me, that was the old me. I could've come out of the line, they could've played and scored a try. But it's good someone like Jacko can say to me, just relax. Even though my intentions are right, it's probably not the right option at the time. So it's about controlling my emotion and using it at the right time."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ving-canterbury-bulldogs-20170331-gvatn8.html
After what he described as a "soul-searching week", Reynolds answered the call after heavy criticism following his team's dismal showing against Manly in the 36-0 drubbing in round four.
Reynolds was one of Canterbury's best in the gutsy 10-7 win over the Broncos at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night, conceding it was his desire to prove to himself he was still worthy of the Bulldogs' No.6 jersey that inspired the performance.
"It was a soul-searching week. To be flogged like that against a team that we thought we had their measure, it was a big wake-up call," Reynolds said following the victory against Brisbane.
"I don't think we've ever had a loss like that in the five or six years we've been together as a core group. There were some pretty white faces going into training on Monday. But it shows we've still got it. It really does. You can say you want to go out there and prove people wrong, prove your doubters wrong, but really you just have to prove to yourself that you've still got it.
"Honestly. That's what I was doing all week. I was copping it. A couple of other boys were copping it. I just said, you know what, I was watching a couple of things from the last couple of years and it's the same core guys that have come up with massive plays to get us where we were. That was a big thing for me. I had to go searching a bit to make sure I could still play the game."
Advertisement
The future of the former State of Origin-winning five-eighth remains up in the air as Canterbury weigh up the direction they will head in 2018.
The off-contract Reynolds grew up in the area and has no desire to leave the Bulldogs, admitting it was difficult to fathom the idea of donning a rival club jersey.
"Honestly mate, it is hard for me to think that," Reynolds said.
"It really is. It makes me a bit sick in the stomach. I don't want to comment too much on that at the moment because I'm not 100 per cent on what's going on.
"I'm letting my manager do everything. But I love the club, mate. Let's be honest. I was born there. Nights like this make me realise that I think I suit the club."
Reynolds has long been trying to contain his emotions on the field after a career marred by brain explosions. However there was little he could do to contain his passion on an important night for the club.
"It's funny, when they were setting up for that field goal on the last before half-time, I wanted to just run up, run out of the line and get [Jordan] Kahu but Jacko [Josh Jackson] said 'mate, don't you dare'," Reynolds said.
"For me, that was the old me. I could've come out of the line, they could've played and scored a try. But it's good someone like Jacko can say to me, just relax. Even though my intentions are right, it's probably not the right option at the time. So it's about controlling my emotion and using it at the right time."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ving-canterbury-bulldogs-20170331-gvatn8.html