Josh Reynolds could be in Canterbury colours as early as next week
The Daily Telegraph understands Reynolds' management held productive talks with Tigers officials about a move to the Bulldogs.
It's believed the Tigers are willing to release Reynolds from the final two years of his deal at Concord to join Canterbury in season 2020 and are willing to pay half of his salary if a deal can be struck between the two parties.
Last week,
The Daily Telegraph revealed Reynolds held talks with Canterbury officials on Anzac Day about his potential homecoming.
Bulldogs coach Dean Pay is also keen to bring Reynolds, a local junior, home but it's understood the final decision rests in the hands of the board and if rubber stamped could see the playmaker back in Canterbury colours next week.
With uncertainty around what the salary cap will look like beyond season 2020 and with the playing future of playmaker Benji Marshall undecided, it was suggested the Tigers were initially reluctant to let Reynolds move on.
Reynolds was named in the halves in place of injured halfback Luke Brooks in the opening two rounds of the season and was one of their best players.
Tigers captain Moses Mbye, who also played alongside Reynolds at Belmore, said he hadn't spoken to his teammate about his playing future but would support his decision to play out the rest of his career as a Bulldog.
“From a personal point of view, I haven’t spoken to Grub [Reynolds] about it. I think he’s a pretty tough couple of years and he hasn’t had much reward for the hard work he has put in. So whatever happens with Grub, whether it be here or anywhere else it will be good to see him playing first grade footy back where he belongs," Mbye said.
"Whatever is best for him, I’m certainly supporting, I haven’t told him that but that’s what I’d be telling him if he wanted advice from me."
Competition for key positions in Tigers coach Michael Maguire's spine has increased with the arrival of former Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant.
Grant is likely to replace five-eighth turned makeshift dummy-half Billy Walters at hooker when the season restarts from May 28. Walters played the first two games of the season at no. 9, a position Reynolds has been used in by Maguire in the past.
Halfback Luke Brooks is also set to return from injury and take his place alongside Benji Marshall in the halves.
"We’ve got expectations of Harry [Grant] and what he’s shown us in the first week of training has been exceptional. It comes down to Madge [Maguire] to select the best team that he thinks will do the best job for him. It’s a good headache for a head coach to have, a little bit of depth, it’s something we haven’t had for the last couple of seasons," Mbye said.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...k/news-story/4842fb1ed429e4fc803f603c79fc96f5
