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The Strategist
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by Chris Barrett, Sports Writer
Peas in a pod … Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds celebrates with with Bulldogs skipper and fellow "grub" Michael Ennis. Photo: Getty Images
JOSH REYNOLDS would have read the results of a players' poll a couple of months ago, rating him the NRL's second biggest ''grub'' behind only his Canterbury captain Michael Ennis. He certainly would have heard the comments of Anthony Watmough earlier in this semi-finals series, when the Manly back-rower reportedly told him to his face: ''You do dumb **** - no wonder everybody hates you.''
Thankfully, this competition is not a popularity contest. Reynolds, with thick skin to accompany temerity, has been catapulted out of nowhere to a grand final in the space of six months. He has not simply tagged along for the ride, either, mobilised from relative obscurity by the arrival of Des Hasler to become one of the most exciting and dangerous running playmakers in the game. If the 23-year-old wins a premiership in his first full season of first grade - he played 10 NRL games as a rookie last year - he won't care what others might be calling him.
Grub is a crude term that has made its way into the league vernacular to describe the perpetrators of relatively modest, but often annoying, indiscretions usually around the ruck. The label, however, has never concerned the game's No.1 blowfly, Ennis, and as he prepares to take on Melbourne at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, it does not bother Reynolds either.
''I just go out there and I have to compete. The boys I play with say they love it,'' Reynolds said of the niggling tactics that can enrage rivals. ''It's not as if I'm going out there just to do that … it's the heat of the moment, and the best thing is it stays on the field for me. I like the aggressive nature of the game. It's going to happen and everyone loves that stuff.''
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Just as the dual-character Ennis has always been once he has crossed the white line, exiting the arena, Reynolds certainly makes for a genial ''grub''. A local product who has taken the back route rather than a bee line to stardom, the humility was evident in his jubilation in the aftermath of Saturday night's 32-8 win over Souths.
Grand final day, though, is not entirely new to the rambunctious Bulldogs five-eighth. He appeared there last year, playing in the club's NSW Cup side, and his elevation from support act to the headlining show is evidence enough of his rapid rise.
''It's literally a dream come true. I used to watch these games as a kid, and you wonder if you'll ever be there one day. For me to just even set foot in a grand final it's crazy,'' he said. ''A couple of years ago I was doing a trade, plumbing away and hoping it could be me one day.''
Reynolds grew up around Belmore, and remembers the Bulldogs' last foray to a premiership decider and the celebrations that followed.
''In 2004 when they played the grand final, I went down to Belmore, and there were people on the roofs of the shops and people in the back of utes going crazy,'' he said. ''It's going to be a big week. I can't wait.''
In contrast to general opinion about how Hasler does business, Reynolds also anticipates it to be a ''fun'' week. The two-time premiership-winning coach does not let on much to the outside world, giving an indication of ruthless, albeit slightly quirky, single-mindedness, but Reynolds says Hasler is different behind the scenes.
''We want to have a great week and just have fun. Des has got a big emphasis on that,'' he said. ''Everyone might see Des as a big, hard man but he says make sure we have fun and remember these times because you're going to remember them for a lifetime.
''It's not as if we do it at training. When we're at training we're obviously switched on. But it's just when we go for lunch or something like that, we're such a tight group - I can go for lunch with any one of the boys and have a mad laugh and a mad chat. Dessie throws in some all right jokes every now and then to make us laugh. It's a great atmosphere and a great vibe there.''
The vibe is not quite good enough, though, for Reynolds to emulate a prank by Manly players five years ago and pinch the coach's car. ''I don't know if I'd go that far just yet. I'm sure he'd be fine with it but I'm not going to do it,'' Reynolds said. ''I'll gee up one of the boys to do it.''
If the Bulldogs win on Sunday, Hasler might give him the keys.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...wont-change-20120923-26f7h.html#ixzz27J39nNpG
Peas in a pod … Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds celebrates with with Bulldogs skipper and fellow "grub" Michael Ennis. Photo: Getty Images
JOSH REYNOLDS would have read the results of a players' poll a couple of months ago, rating him the NRL's second biggest ''grub'' behind only his Canterbury captain Michael Ennis. He certainly would have heard the comments of Anthony Watmough earlier in this semi-finals series, when the Manly back-rower reportedly told him to his face: ''You do dumb **** - no wonder everybody hates you.''
Thankfully, this competition is not a popularity contest. Reynolds, with thick skin to accompany temerity, has been catapulted out of nowhere to a grand final in the space of six months. He has not simply tagged along for the ride, either, mobilised from relative obscurity by the arrival of Des Hasler to become one of the most exciting and dangerous running playmakers in the game. If the 23-year-old wins a premiership in his first full season of first grade - he played 10 NRL games as a rookie last year - he won't care what others might be calling him.
Grub is a crude term that has made its way into the league vernacular to describe the perpetrators of relatively modest, but often annoying, indiscretions usually around the ruck. The label, however, has never concerned the game's No.1 blowfly, Ennis, and as he prepares to take on Melbourne at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, it does not bother Reynolds either.
''I just go out there and I have to compete. The boys I play with say they love it,'' Reynolds said of the niggling tactics that can enrage rivals. ''It's not as if I'm going out there just to do that … it's the heat of the moment, and the best thing is it stays on the field for me. I like the aggressive nature of the game. It's going to happen and everyone loves that stuff.''
Advertisement
Just as the dual-character Ennis has always been once he has crossed the white line, exiting the arena, Reynolds certainly makes for a genial ''grub''. A local product who has taken the back route rather than a bee line to stardom, the humility was evident in his jubilation in the aftermath of Saturday night's 32-8 win over Souths.
Grand final day, though, is not entirely new to the rambunctious Bulldogs five-eighth. He appeared there last year, playing in the club's NSW Cup side, and his elevation from support act to the headlining show is evidence enough of his rapid rise.
''It's literally a dream come true. I used to watch these games as a kid, and you wonder if you'll ever be there one day. For me to just even set foot in a grand final it's crazy,'' he said. ''A couple of years ago I was doing a trade, plumbing away and hoping it could be me one day.''
Reynolds grew up around Belmore, and remembers the Bulldogs' last foray to a premiership decider and the celebrations that followed.
''In 2004 when they played the grand final, I went down to Belmore, and there were people on the roofs of the shops and people in the back of utes going crazy,'' he said. ''It's going to be a big week. I can't wait.''
In contrast to general opinion about how Hasler does business, Reynolds also anticipates it to be a ''fun'' week. The two-time premiership-winning coach does not let on much to the outside world, giving an indication of ruthless, albeit slightly quirky, single-mindedness, but Reynolds says Hasler is different behind the scenes.
''We want to have a great week and just have fun. Des has got a big emphasis on that,'' he said. ''Everyone might see Des as a big, hard man but he says make sure we have fun and remember these times because you're going to remember them for a lifetime.
''It's not as if we do it at training. When we're at training we're obviously switched on. But it's just when we go for lunch or something like that, we're such a tight group - I can go for lunch with any one of the boys and have a mad laugh and a mad chat. Dessie throws in some all right jokes every now and then to make us laugh. It's a great atmosphere and a great vibe there.''
The vibe is not quite good enough, though, for Reynolds to emulate a prank by Manly players five years ago and pinch the coach's car. ''I don't know if I'd go that far just yet. I'm sure he'd be fine with it but I'm not going to do it,'' Reynolds said. ''I'll gee up one of the boys to do it.''
If the Bulldogs win on Sunday, Hasler might give him the keys.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...wont-change-20120923-26f7h.html#ixzz27J39nNpG
