After 10 rounds of the NRL the Bulldogs were sitting atop the competition ladder, fully deserving of all the kudos coming their way.
The skill and size in the Dogs forward pack was proving too hard to contain, while Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds were doing such a great job leading the team, they were selected in the halves for New South Wales in the State of Origin series.
Jump to the present day and the Dogs have lost four in a row, sliding down the ladder to eighth spot and in danger of missing the finals.
Yet it’s not just that consecutive losses have piled up, it’s the way in which they have been defeated that is most alarming for coach Des Hasler, the players, team management and their fans.
During the losing streak, a young Wests Tigers outfit put 46 on them, the Penrith Panthers defeated them 22-16 in a score line that dramatically flatters the Dogs, and the Brisbane Broncos annihilated them on Friday night, 41-10.
The heavy loss to the Broncos saw five-eighth Josh Reynolds compile quite the highlight reel. Sadly for him and the Dogs, it wasn’t one containing sensational plays, but rather a series of extreme brain flatulence.
In a meltdown of epic proportions, Reynolds was placed on report for kicking Sam Thaiday in the face, placed on report for tripping Ben Barba, sin-binned for a high tackle on Alex Glenn, and then violently kicked a chair when he returned to the dressing room.
It capped off an ugly night for the Dogs, and though clearly frustration got the better of him, Reynolds actions were completely unacceptable.
Reynolds nickname is ‘Grub’, a moniker he seems to relish, which tells you all you need to know about his style of play. His antics on the field have always raised the ire of opposing players and fans; however, it’s time he got rid of the junk in his game.
It’s now reached the point where his aggression and niggle are having a detrimental effect on his own team.
He was extremely lucky to get away with a number of incidents in the Origin series that could have cost the Blues dearly, including a dangerous lifting tackle on Brent Tate in Game 1, and a penalty for holding Billy Slater back at the conclusion of Game 2 that handed Queensland the potential to secure a last-gasp victory at the death.
However, he wasn’t so lucky in Game 3, and copped a three-game suspension for a shoulder charge on Will Chambers.
He returned to the Bulldogs last round, but is certain to now spend more time on the sidelines for his transgressions on Friday night, and with the Dogs in free-fall, much more is expected – and needed – from one of their leaders.
As a Bulldogs fan, I love Reynolds’ attitude. He’s passionate, energetic and desperately wants to win. He gives every game his all, and you could never question his commitment or effort. Clubs need leaders like that, it sets a good example for younger kids, along with helping to establish a strong culture at the club.
However, that desire needs to be harnessed.
Any attitude that sees you consistently suspended from your team and watching from the sidelines does your football club no favours. Any passion that sees you give away crucial penalties that prove extremely expensive during a game, flies in the face of ‘wanting to win’. Any dirty tactics that push the boundaries of decency are not a good example for younger players.
Reynolds is a very good footballer. His skill level has improved tremendously, and his intensity – in what is a very physical sport – will always be an asset.
It’s no secret that he is a player that treads a fine line. He has always been known as someone that gets in opposing players’ faces, before getting under their skin. He’s annoying, feisty and lippy.
He’s also emotional, and you want players that care. But he needs to play with better control. He needs to play smarter. He needs to get rid of the garbage in his game.
He needs to stop being the ‘Grub’.
The Barry
Roar Guru
2-3 weeks. Told you!
I Know Everything
Guest
The NRL let the bastard off a dangerous tackle charge on Origin 1. Is the NRL waiting for this fool to maim or kill someone before they do the right thing and get rid of him permanently from the game worldwide?
JB
Guest
It's indefensible. His good early season good form has also dropped away. I just hate it when players say things like 'these things happen out on the field' they happen because people choose to do them. To knock it up to these things happen is weak, just be a man and own it, he acted like a mug, do your suspension train your guts out and learn from it, not just as a player but as a bloke. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Muzz
Guest
They'd be doing his playing career a favour to give him some time on the sideline.He needs to comprehend that there's no room in the game for that sort of rubbish. He should wait until he's a coach and then he can start ripping doors off their hinges.
Gundy Dragon
Guest
Any thing goes WQ? Like picking a player not eligible to play for you?
Adam
Guest
Watch the replay again, when he begins kicking out his view of Thaiday is very minimal at most
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Come again??
Adam
Guest
When he starts kicking out, from the side on replay angle, Reynolds is pretty much cheek to cheek with the tackler. Maybe I've seen a different video, it's not worth putting up with that terrible ad before the video in this article for me to go back and watch it again
JayBob
Guest
Please watch the footage, he did not have any view of Thaiday, there was another Broncos player on top of him in the way. He looked at Thaiday after feeling the contact on his foot. I'm seriously thinking the majority of people on this site comment on things based on what they hear and don't actually view anything themselves.
Sammy
Guest
I won't ever condone "bring back the biff" but I believe the modern game is suffering from a lack of "enforcers" and "hit-men" which has forced clubs and coaches to resort to niggling tactics - hence every team as a couple of grubs.
Alex
Guest
Time to go watch the video again mate. He looks Thaiday in the eye, then kicks him in the face, then gives him a verbal serve.
Adam
Guest
Sure he kicked out at Thaiday, but it also looks like he would not have even had sight where he was kicking due to the tackler over his upper body. So he may have just been hurrying to get loose, not to kick Thaiday in face. Not excusing the action though
Jay C
Roar Guru
That is a complicated way of saying both the Dogs and Eels will miss out cos UP THE BRONCOS! Still mathematically possible! WOOP!
JayBob
Guest
Yeah they were completely different. Slater could see Klemmer running at him so he kicked his leg out at Klemmer to protect himself. Reynolds could not see Thaiday and was trying to free his legs from the tackle. One is clearly more accidental than the other. Seriously if Reynolds ends up with points over the Thaiday incident I'm giving up. It should have been a penalty to the Dogs anyway for Thaiday twisting the legs around(which is a key indicator for slowing the play the ball down) but the cat played his part well. Definitely deserves an Oscar for the performance.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I know right. Come on Parra. Cheer up.
Tricky Ricky
Guest
If there is a "Grub Of The Year NRL Award" Reynolds would win it hands down!
djcooper
Roar Guru
Once again the match review committee have let down the whole of the NRL with these disgraceful charges. 1 for the kick to thaiday's face and 2 for the deliberate trip make a mockery of the NRLs supposed edict to clean up the game.
Scrubbit
Guest
To be fair on Hasler. Reynolds was crying his eyes out after the game. I don't know about you but I can't bring myself to give a grown man a severe anything when they're crying. That's not me saying Reynolds is soft or anything btw. Just that he probably didn't need someone screaming at him at the time.
Meesta Cool
Guest
He is facing three week suspension for that disgraceful performance the other night, that is one match for each report,, c'mon let's get real!.
Mushi
Guest
But he's basically got permission right as Des believes only the high shot deserves a suspension. How about opponents just roundhouse the Kees of doggies going forward whilst throwing one arm out? Des said it's fine. One from each opponent injure every doggie then turn to hasler's coaches box and scream "are you not entertained!" I hate the broncos but Reynolds has grown into the worst bloke in league (on the field) and the only bloke I wish injury on just because then everyone else doesn't have to worry about him.