Opinion josh Reynolds Discussion Thread

No one is more disappointed in Josh Reynolds’ contribution to the Wests Tigers than the man himself.

However, speaking for the first time since being told he is free to find a new club, Reynolds admits he understands the Tigers’ decision to show him the door.

"In a weird way I knew it was coming," Reynolds told NRL.com when asked about his conversation with coach Michael Maguire.

"But to actually hear it from Madge’s mouth was pretty tough. More to the fact because I just haven’t been able to prove myself at this club. I know a lot of people will be frustrated with the input I have had at this club, and rightly so, but there’s no one more frustrated than myself.

"This club gave me an opportunity to set up my life post footy with the deal they gave me, and all I wanted to do was repay them with consistent footy and help build a winning culture like the club I had been at previously. Unfortunately it just hasn’t panned out that way."

As revealed by NRL.com on Wednesday night, the Tigers have granted Reynolds permission to negotiate with rival clubs after club legend Benji Marshall indicated he would likely play on for another season.

Reynolds still has two-and-a-bit years to run on his contract with the Tigers and has every right to remain at the club on a lucrative deal.

However he’s indicated he will help free up salary cap space for the club and look for a new home in 2020.

The Bulldogs have struggled in the halves since his departure at the end of 2017, going through several playmakers under Dean Pay.

Reynolds’s energy and commitment is just what the Bulldogs need, especially as they look rebuild their roster.

The 30-year-old’s love for his old club hasn’t wavered and he would love nothing more than to return to Belmore, but understands the club still has Kieran Foran, Jack Cogger, Brandon Wakeham and Lachlan Lewis on the books.

"Canterbury will always be home, regardless of which jersey I’m wearing," he said

"They did so much for me when I was a junior, and I’ll never forget that. The reality is, I never wanted to leave in the first place. You saw how emotional I was when I left.

"One of the proudest moments of my career was hearing 'Reynolds' being chanted by thousands of fans at Belmore. You never forget those moments. I grew up in the area, my mum still lives there and I drive past there every morning. It’s a place I’ll always hold close to my heart.

"I’m not going to lie, in a perfect world I get to finish my career where it all started because I’ve seen how much it means to Robbie [Farah] and Benji and they are having the time of their lives. But there’s also a part of me that’s a realist, and I know that if I want to play in the NRL again, I might have to wear another jersey."

Reynolds has been dogged by injury during his stint at the Tigers, limited to just nine games in two seasons.

He’s also found himself in the Canterbury Cup ranks behind Marshall, but the former NSW Origin series winner has tried to see the positives in every situation.

"I’m not going to lie, there are times when you question why you have to play reserve grade," he said.

"But when I go home and sit down and think about it, I realise there’s no shame in playing second fiddle to Benji Marshall – a guy who will go down as one of the greatest five-eighths to ever play the game.

"As a rugby league fan it’s great to see him back where he belongs, and unfortunately I’m the one who had to make way for that to happen.

"Am I angry? No. Am I frustrated? No. Do I still feel like I have a lot more to give in my NRL career, yes. If anything this is the hungriest I have ever been to prove to no one but myself that I’ve still got what it takes."

Reynolds has nothing but admiration for the Tigers. He hasn’t kicked stones despite his demotion to the second-tier competition and was willing to bide his time trying to get back in the NRL.

However he realises it’s in the club’s best interest – and his own – for him to try and move on.

"I never once asked to leave the club, because I signed a deal and I owed it to them to see that out as loyalty means the world to me. But if the club feels it’s in their best interest for me to move on, then who am I just to stay here for the wrong reasons.

"It’s well documented that I’m on a decent contract, but that hasn’t given me the happiness that I want.

"What I want is to be happy because I’m playing regular NRL and contributing the way I still believe I can. Ever since I’ve been a kid I’ve looked forward to the weekend to be able to run out on to the field and have fun with my mates and that hasn’t changed. Nine games in two years, that’s killed me."

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/18/sad-to-leave-tigers-reynolds-open-to-bulldogs-homecoming/