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Josh Reynolds has always been a polarising player. It comes with the territory of being a self-confessed ‘niggler’, and someone who exhibits no shame with their nickname of ‘Grub’.
When you get under your opponents’ skin with the regularity that Reynolds does, it ensures said opponents and their fans begin to hate you, and therefore struggle to objectively assess your actual skills, as emotion starts to influence their perceptions.
Canterbury fans love their five-eighth’s tenacity and intensity, and believe he’s an underrated ball-player who is a dangerous, if not erratic, part of the Bulldogs attack.
Other team’s fans think Reynolds is a dirty player with limited skill, whose impact on a game comes from underhanded tactics and little else.
As is so often the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle of those diametrically opposed opinions.
Reynolds is what I like to call a ‘busy’ player. He’s active, enthusiastic, and always trying to make something happen. They’re great qualities to have, as passiveness is a trait rarely seen in elite rugby league players.
However, Reynolds’ strength is also his greatest weakness. It’s one thing to always have a desire to make things happen on the football field, but it’s another thing altogether to have the necessary skills to do so.
Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer and Brad Fittler – to name just a few all-time greats – were always willing to have a large impact on the game. Crucially, they also had the skills and football IQ to match their willingness.
To be blunt, Reynolds seems completely oblivious to the fact he’s not Johnathan Thurston. He’s not in the upper echelon of NRL players when it comes to either passing or kicking, and lacks the self-awareness to understand when he should and shouldn’t get involved in the game.
In fairness, when he’s playing well, his desire to get involved is exactly what makes him a good player. Therefore, if you’re coaching or selecting him, you shouldn’t be requesting that he change his mentality or approach to the game.
However, you should be cognisant on what the optimal use of him is. You should be aware of how many decisions you want Reynolds making, and just how much is the right level of influence for him to have upon a game. His role needs to be clearly defined.
Reynolds is better utilised in short, sharp bursts with the ball in his hand. Otherwise he begins to have diminishing returns, and actually hurts his team.
In a related point, the Bulldogs have spluttered in attack so far this season.
It’s not all Josh Reynolds’ fault, of course.
The Dogs current number 9, Craig Garvey, appears to be a poor passer, which – in an understatement for the ages – is a slight issue for a hooker. Though he would seem to be a good defender, and not lacking in confidence, his service from dummy-half has been absolutely horrible.
He has consistently delivered the ball anywhere but his teammates’ waiting hands, hurting the Bulldogs’ attacking momentum, as the receiver has had to reach way out in front of him, or stop running and catch the ball behind them.
Either way, it’s provided the defence plenty of time to nullify the Dogs’ attacking raids.
The importance of a good hooker has been reinforced to the Bulldogs over the last two weeks, and Canterbury desperately miss Michael Lichaa, currently out injured, along with the man he replaced, Michael Ennis.
The Dogs have also been poor with their fifth tackle decision-making.
Sadly, that’s not exactly a fresh sentiment. It feels like I’ve been saying that for a number of years now.
The Dogs have been one of the worst teams in the NRL over the last two or three seasons when it comes fifth-tackle execution. Time and time again, the forward pack has got the team into good field position, only for the option taken at the end of the set to completely offset any advantage gained.
Tackled with the ball. Kicked dead. Kicked out. Kicked straight to a defender. Whichever bad option you want to nominate, the Dogs have regularly taken it.
At some point, coach Des Hasler has to take responsibility for his team’s consistently poor option-taking. When a player makes a mistake, it’s his fault. When the team consistently makes the same type of mistake, it’s on the coach.
It was hoped that this season, with halfback Moses Mbye signing a big contract to stay at the club, and Trent Hodkinson moving on, the Bulldogs would have clarity and direction in attack. No longer would there be questions over who the first-choice halves would be.
Mbye represented not just the future, but also the present.
However, the young number 7 is yet to take the team by the scruff of the neck in attack.
Reynolds is a strong personality and a vocal leader on the park. You can often see him calling for the ball on the fifth tackle, because he’s a confident character who wants to manufacture something for his team.
A seasoned or heady hooker would have the nous to overrule Reynolds, wave him away, or pass elsewhere. The Dogs presently have a rookie rake. It means Reynolds is getting too much ball, as his dominant personality can be hard to resist for an inexperienced dummy-half.
This is where Hasler must step in, and Mbye must step up.
The coach should instruct the team that Mbye is the halfback, the main decision-maker, and should be taking control of the vast majority of fifth-tackle options.
Meanwhile, Mbye has to have more presence, be more demanding, and scream for the ball.
Essentially, take control of the team.
Once Mbye has the ball, he also needs to ensure he does the right thing with it. He could do worse than watch hours and hours of Cooper Cronk, and learn that the best play is often not the flashiest play.
Physical skills are but a small part of being a quality halfback. Leadership, decision-making and providing direction are all equally important, and these are all currently somewhat lacking in the Bulldogs number 7.
Developing these traits will come through experience; yet that is something that is being hindered at present.
All in all, it would be in the best interests of both individuals involved – but most importantly, the team – for Reynolds to take a backseat, and Mbye to be more dominant.
It’s on Hasler to make that happen.