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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...511711807?sv=90e79d446f5ffc60b6c98a88739c6788
Canterbury players are glad Josh Reynolds is finally back, with his brain explosions or not.
For an NRL team on the verge of finals football, with two of their spine missing for the biggest game of the season so far, the return of Reynolds, the man they affectionately call Grub, is like Christmas in September. He’s missed 10 weeks this year.
“We really need him,” said young forward Shaun Lane, who came in when injured veteran Tony Williams tore his pectoral muscle in round 11.
“Trent (Hodkinson) is a massive loss for us,” winger Curtis Rona said. “He’s steered the shop so well. We’ll miss him big time. But in saying that, Grub is back from injury and really eager to get out on the field. Every time he pulls on that Bulldogs jersey he’ll give 110 per cent.”
Along with the likes of Rona, the second-highest try scorer in the NRL this year, and hooker Damien Cook, Lane will be playing *finals for the first time.
Halves Moses Mbye and Reynolds played in last year’s grand final, although Mbye was at No 9 for the injured Michael Ennis.
Josh Morris played in last year’s decider on one leg after picking up a serious knee ligament injury with the Blues in State of Origin.
He’s not only glad to be fit, he’s over the moon Reynolds and Mbye get a game together against the Warriors on Sunday before leading the team into the finals.
“It would be helpful for Grub and Moses to get that,” Morris said. “One of them has to be the chief playmaker. I’m sure Des has spoken to them throughout the week about what their roles are and who is the dominant one when the other takes a back seat.
“They’re looking all right.”
Reynolds has played only 14 matches this year due to injury and suspension. He has been criticised for having brain snaps by trying something out of the ordinary on the field that earns a penalty or has him on report.
“Josh is a competitor,” Morris said. “You’d rather have one of them in your side than a bloke who does his job half the time.
“When Grub runs out, he gives 100 per cent but sometimes it does go the wrong way.
“No one is doubting his ability and his role in this team.
“He’s had a frustrating year ... but he’s really looking forward to this weekend.”
And Morris is keen to get out there after limping into the finals 12 months ago.
“It was a difficult time last year struggling with that knee and knowing every game I wasn’t quite right. I was pretty much running out there defensively, just trying to do my part for the team.
“This year my attack has come a long way from where it was a year ago. I feel very dangerous with the ball in my hands. So certainly it’s a different mindset leading into this finals series.”
Rona, on 21 tries, has one more match to try to beat Parramatta’s Semi Radradra (22) for the most tries in 2015.
“It would be a great achievement to be top tryscorer,” Rona said. “But I’d substitute the try for a win.”
Canterbury players are glad Josh Reynolds is finally back, with his brain explosions or not.
For an NRL team on the verge of finals football, with two of their spine missing for the biggest game of the season so far, the return of Reynolds, the man they affectionately call Grub, is like Christmas in September. He’s missed 10 weeks this year.
“We really need him,” said young forward Shaun Lane, who came in when injured veteran Tony Williams tore his pectoral muscle in round 11.
“Trent (Hodkinson) is a massive loss for us,” winger Curtis Rona said. “He’s steered the shop so well. We’ll miss him big time. But in saying that, Grub is back from injury and really eager to get out on the field. Every time he pulls on that Bulldogs jersey he’ll give 110 per cent.”
Along with the likes of Rona, the second-highest try scorer in the NRL this year, and hooker Damien Cook, Lane will be playing *finals for the first time.
Halves Moses Mbye and Reynolds played in last year’s grand final, although Mbye was at No 9 for the injured Michael Ennis.
Josh Morris played in last year’s decider on one leg after picking up a serious knee ligament injury with the Blues in State of Origin.
He’s not only glad to be fit, he’s over the moon Reynolds and Mbye get a game together against the Warriors on Sunday before leading the team into the finals.
“It would be helpful for Grub and Moses to get that,” Morris said. “One of them has to be the chief playmaker. I’m sure Des has spoken to them throughout the week about what their roles are and who is the dominant one when the other takes a back seat.
“They’re looking all right.”
Reynolds has played only 14 matches this year due to injury and suspension. He has been criticised for having brain snaps by trying something out of the ordinary on the field that earns a penalty or has him on report.
“Josh is a competitor,” Morris said. “You’d rather have one of them in your side than a bloke who does his job half the time.
“When Grub runs out, he gives 100 per cent but sometimes it does go the wrong way.
“No one is doubting his ability and his role in this team.
“He’s had a frustrating year ... but he’s really looking forward to this weekend.”
And Morris is keen to get out there after limping into the finals 12 months ago.
“It was a difficult time last year struggling with that knee and knowing every game I wasn’t quite right. I was pretty much running out there defensively, just trying to do my part for the team.
“This year my attack has come a long way from where it was a year ago. I feel very dangerous with the ball in my hands. So certainly it’s a different mindset leading into this finals series.”
Rona, on 21 tries, has one more match to try to beat Parramatta’s Semi Radradra (22) for the most tries in 2015.
“It would be a great achievement to be top tryscorer,” Rona said. “But I’d substitute the try for a win.”