'I finally got that feeling back': Emotional Reynolds now ready for farewell
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Josh Reynolds has been compared to Bulldogs greats Terry Lamb, Steve Mortimer, Andrew Ryan and Josh Jackson after breaking down in front of teammates as he announced his retirement.
Reynolds, who returned to the club this season after stints with Wests Tigers and Hull FC, will bow out on Sunday in fitting style as the Bulldogs host the Broncos at Belmore Oval.
While Reynolds will make his farewell appearance in the earlier NSW Cup match, the club will honour him by renaming the hill at Belmore Josh Reynolds Hill and fans are expected to chair him from the field as they did when he left in 2017.
The move was one the 34-year-old wishes he never had to make as his heart remained at Canterbury and despite playing just seven NRL matches Reynolds described his final season as one of the most enjoyable of his career.
“This club means more to me than the game to be honest,” Reynolds said as he fought back tears while surrounded by teammates at a press conference to announce his retirement.
“I honestly wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t start here. Even just these boys being in here right now - I’m going to miss that so much because I’ve been chasing the feeling ever since I left and I finally got it back.
“I’m just honestly grateful for the club giving me another chance to be able to do my best and show these boys hopefully what it means to be the best Bulldogs [player] they can.”
During his previous seven seasons at Canterbury, Reynolds played in two grand finals – 2012 and 2014 - and helped steer NSW to a drought breaking Origin series win in 2014.
However, the influence of the Bulldogs junior goes beyond his on-field feats in 145 NRL appearances, with New Zealand second-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner giving an insight into why Reynolds is the ultimate clubman.
“He has had a huge impact on not only my footy career but as a person,” Faitala-Mariner said.
“I still remember when I came over from New Zealand and, in my first week here, he picked me up and took me out for dinner, and shouted me dinner.
That was my first experience of this club being a family club, and that was through Josh Reynolds.
“When you think of the Bulldogs you think of guys like Josh Jackson and Andrew Ryan and Terry Lamb and Steve Mortimer, but Josh Reynolds is up there too and to replace someone like him is hard.
“He is very passionate and very caring about the players and the club. If the 30 boys in there can have a little bit of Josh Reynolds in them, I think we will go a long way.”
After a season in England, Reynolds returned to the Bulldogs this year on a train-and-trial contract and earned a spot in the club’s top 30 roster.
Josh Reynolds makes something happen
However, Reynolds admitted it had been difficult coming to terms with the fact he couldn’t train and play at the same level as his previous stint with the club and when Canterbury signed Toby Sexton he gave up his top 30 spot.
“It’s been on my mind for a little bit,” he said. “I’ve still got the mentality of going into every game to compete but I just can’t do it anymore.
“There’s been a few training sessions where I was telling my body to get there but it just wasn’t.
I thought it was time. I didn’t want to stop anyone.
“A perfect example is Bailey Hayward, I’ve known him since he was seven-years old, and watched his growth come through.
“I didn’t want to put him out any more so it was actually an easy decision for me in the end.”
Reynolds has also helped mentor another promising playmaker in Khaled Rajab, who made his NRL debut in Round 15 against Sydney Roosters.
“To be able to sit on the bench with Khaled for his debut, he’s way better than what I’ve ever done,” Reynolds said.
“I’m just honestly grateful for the club giving me another chance to be able to do my best and show these boys hopefully what it means to be the best Bulldogs they can.
“This year’s been one of the best years of my career because there’s been moments because I’ve been a part of some of these guys’ lives since they were kids and to be able to play with some of them is very special.”
While he won’t finish his career in the NRL, Reynolds said the chance to play his farewell match at Belmore Oval was a “fairytale” ending he hadn’t envisaged.
“I know it’s a cliche, but this place has the best memories I’ve ever had in my whole career,” he said.
“My mates, family, the fans — they hated me, they loved me, a bit of everything. It feels so much to me.
“I played my grand final there when I was seven-years old, now to be able to play my final game here in a Bulldogs jersey is very special. It’s going to be a great day. I’m really excited.”
