I had the opportunity to meet Josh Reynolds last year at a function with lots and lots of children present. Never in my life had I been more impressed by a rugby league player.
Josh was sincere in his address to the kids. He was extremely generous with his time, staying well past his allocated slots to sign autographs have photographs and tell everyone who asked that he would be happy to follow them on Instagram.
For a player with such a poor reputation on the field, I was so impressed with his dedication to his young fans that I had to tell Raelene Castle about it the next time I saw her.
Her response was that there is no player at the Bulldogs that she receives more positive feedback on their contribution to the community than Josh. It is well deserved. And it’s what makes Josh’s on-field persona so difficult to understand.
Josh Reynolds is an extremely passionate and talented player. Every time he puts on that blue and white jersey he plays with absolute commitment to his team, placing his body on the line and giving it his best shot.
However, with Reynolds having been put on report twice in the City vs Country match, we seriously need to consider whether he is a liability on the field.
This added to a string of incidents which has earned Reynolds the nickname ‘Grub’. His brain explosions, which have led to suspension and sin-binning, have included tripping, kicking chairs in change rooms, and kicking players in the face.
I was really hoping that Josh would grow up this year and get the garbage out of his game. I was disappointed in Round 1 and I was disappointed again over the weekend.
It was at around the 50-minute mark – minutes after I made a comment to my dad about how Reynolds needed to play in a sky blue jumper this year – that Reynolds had one of his brain snaps and attempted to trip Tariq Sims in the lead-up to Sims’ try. The second incident saw Reynolds shoulder-charge David Mead right at the end of the game.
We have certainly seen worse on the field this year, but it is not the magnitude of Reynolds’ brain snaps that is the issue, it’s their regularity and futility. They really do detract from all the good that he does on the field and it has people questioning whether someone more stable, like James Maloney, should instead wear that sky blue jumper.
Despite Reynolds’ talent, attacking prowess and leadership skills (which was a big part of the reason that the Dogs and NSW did so well last year), this ugly side of his game must put doubt into the mind of Laurie Daley.
If the judiciary doesn’t make the decision for him, should Laurie still pick Josh Reynolds? Would he make your Origin team?
On a selfish note, if Maloney is picked, I’ll be angry at Josh. It wreaks havoc with my NRL SuperCoach team.
This is @mary__kaye from @ladieswholeague
Don
Guest
Cronulla :)
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
In the trip incident, to me it looked like Reynolds got wrong footed but was so determined to stopping Sims and so committed to the team he threw his leg out in a desperate attempt to stop the big man. How's that for a bit of PR spin?
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
There was a bit of a 'push and shove' at one point in the game (early 2nd half if I remember correctly)and players came in to remonstrate with each other. One player came in by jumping over the top of others and could have escalated the whole incident. Who was that player you ask? That's right, Reynolds. So he should have really been placed on report three times in the game.
JayBob
Guest
I love it how everyone's saying he won't handle the origin pressure because he cracked in the City/Country and Maloney showed he can handle it. Are we talking about the same Reynolds that has already played Origin and handled it well, putting other players off their game rather than being overawed by the occasion? Are we also talking about the same Maloney, or more importantly Pearce, that has consistently shown they can't handle the pressure at Orign? It might just be me but I would judge on Origin games rather than a City/Country game.
JayBob
Guest
If Reynolds had done a similar trip to Hiku's we all know he would have been charged with at least a grade 2. It was much worse than the one in the City game, which barely made contact. Last time Reynolds was charged with a trip, Thurston was not charged for one the same weekend. Tune in this week to see another trip go uncharged, because Reynolds isn't playing. Not sticking up for him because tripping is a low act but a little consistency would be nice.
rayman revolution
Guest
josh reynolds attitude reminds me of george gerasimou on x factor I can't wait till the day josh reynolds retires
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
To be fair other than Parker nobody played very well after the first 10 minutes. Sad part is Parker is a 30 something who isn't even a first choice lock. Inglis needs to take a serious break from footy for that knee problem.
rayman revolution
Guest
Greg inglis has always been a overrated player too lazy in defence and can't tackle only cares when his team has possession Greg inglis on current form doesn't warrant a maroons jersey and he should be playing reserve grade and rabbitohs would do alot better with johnston at fb
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
He'd get a lot more than 10 weeks if he struck a ref.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Ditto. Or if Adam Reynolds ends up playing well the next 3wks I'd go Pearce/ARey
Squidward
Roar Rookie
And myles and Matt Scott stunk too Parker was great I'll give him that
matth
Guest
What the "ref" stands for is not referee, but "referred to the judiciary". that charge was not graded but went straight to the judiciary. So nothing about the ref at all
Kaks
Roar Guru
Yet it was Inglis, Cronk and Thurston who - all QLD - who had poor games? Not making this a NSW vs QLD debate, but you need to put your tinted glasses down.
Matthew Russell
Roar Pro
I am a doggies fan and I have no idea how he ever played origin at 5/8. I wouldn't even have him in the number 6 for Canterbury, Mybe a better player. The only position I see him at in club football is on the bench as a reserve hooker. Passion can only get certain players so far and he uses his passion the wrong way too many times. I would have Pearce and Hodkinson Game 1
Gazzatron
Guest
I find it ridiculous that Bird and Reynolds are even being thought about as Origin picks. Forget about the fact they are grubs and focus on the fact that they just aren't good enough!!
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
and that may be why they should consider him for this origin series. Worked a charm!
Benedict Arnold
Guest
My biggest pet peeve with these serial offenders is the interview that takes place during the week with the coach and the team-mates at clubs level defending the individual. It is always the same excuses and the same comments saying things like "that's not the guy I know" or other ridiculous comments like "he plays on the limit and that's what we love about him, but he doesn't go out to intentionally do these things" - LOL. Unfortunately it gets to the point where if you do it once you have benefit of the doubt - maybe accidental, maybe a brain snap. But to continually and so blatantly commit the types of things that Bird and Reynolds do repeatedly and not be able to draw some kind of conclusion that perhaps maybe it is a habit is wearing thin. It's no longer an accident for me or "unintentional", these guys continually do it and people still believe they don't mean to do it. I just wish a spade was called a spade. Who would want to recruit reynolds if the dogs offload him this year? What club would hire the bloke?
HarryT
Guest
He was a hero last year after destroying Thurston with his niggling tactics in the SOO.
HarryT
Guest
Exactly Basil. Apparently NZ/Manly players aren't grubs when they trip people.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
NZ were great because they are a great side and deserve credit for being one