Fan favourite Josh Reynolds is set to leave Canterbury and join new coach Ivan Cleary’s reshaping of NRL neighbours Wests Tigers.
Reynolds, off contract at the end of the year, is understood to have agreed on a four-year deal with the Tigers where he’ll replace Parramatta-bound five-eighth Mitchell Moses.
The former NSW playmaker is believed to have informed Bulldogs players of his end-of-season departure before training on Wednesday morning.
His Tigers deal is reportedly worth close to a million dollars a year.
The news comes just hours after the Tigers announced they had signed New Zealand international prop Ben Matulino from the Warriors.
Cleary and Wests Tigers have been moving rapidly to fill the gaps with the club seemingly set to lose three of their “big four” off-contract stars – Moses, captain Aaron Woods, who is tipped to join the Bulldogs and fullback James Tedesco, believed to be headed to Sydney Roosters.
Reynolds is set to play alongside the other member of the four, young halfback Luke Brooks, who re-signed with the Tigers for a further two-years last week.
Matulino played under Cleary at the Warriors and said that experience played a big part in his decision to move from Auckland to the Sydney club.
Reynolds, into his seventh season at the Bulldogs, said last month the thought of leaving the Bulldogs made him feel sick in the stomach.
But Canterbury is under salary cap pressure given the expected arrivals of Woods and Kieran Foran, who is tipped to replace him at five-eighth.
“Honestly, it is hard for me to think that. It makes me a bit sick in the stomach,” Reynolds said on March 31.
“I love the club (Canterbury), let’s be honest. I was born there.”
The Bulldogs’ pursuit of Woods had put pressure on Aiden Tolman’s place at the club, but the veteran prop said on Wednesday he was sure he would play out the final year of his contract next season.
Before news of Reynolds’ exit broke, Tolman conceded it would be a blow for the club to lose the effervescent five-eighth.
“He’s huge to our club. He basically epitomised what the Bulldogs are about. If he was to go, he’d be a huge loss,” Tolman told reporters.
“But we would respect his decision either way. We’d obviously love to keep him here and whatever his decision is, we’d respect it.
“He’s got to look after himself, his family and his football as well.”
jacksyd
Guest
Shame his enthusiasm isn't matched with ability. Good luck to him securing double what he's worth.
Chris
Guest
This is Des not being about to coach a team with isnt full of superstars. He cant develop jrs. Its him trying to get his $1 million bonus for winning
Stevo
Guest
Very sad to see the Dogs let Josh Reynolds go. True he may not be the most gifted out of all the halves in the game, but i don't know anyone with as much passion, effort and heart as Reynolds plus he obviously is a decent bloke as well. James Graham on NRL 360 was very emotional speaking about how much he means to the team on and off the field.
jeff dustby
Guest
Will, you have fallen into the trap of believing the numbers reported by News ltd
jeff dustby
Guest
easy, someone offered him more cash
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Very surprised the Dogs are letting Reynolds go, he is Belmore to the core. His energy sparks a lot of what they do in crossing the chalk. I might be in the minority here but think Foran is hugely overrated and wouldn't be breaking the bank for him at all. He was very good at Manly under Hasler however he hasn't come close to replicating that form from 2011-2013. Tigers have done well to sign Reynolds.
tim
Guest
The comment analyzed a sequence in the game. Clearly, he at least watched that sequence. Yes, a spelling mistake is trivial, but my point is that people make mistakes that aren't caused by ignorance.
Soothsayer
Roar Rookie
Des should have been sacked. Reynolds and Graham are worth more than Woods and Foran.
Gray-Hand
Guest
A 5/8th should have the leading hand in a hell of a lot more than only 6 wins over 2 seasons (50 or so games). That's far from impressive.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Sorry, you're right. I was juggling two things when I texted. Meant Naqaima.
Sam Bartrim
Guest
Texting on phone mate...spelling mistake, which is trivial. Not a mistake when commenting on matters on the field and naming a player who has been barred from the game. I thought if your going to comment at least get the name of the player right, to me it shows you don't watch the game, so why comment!..not comparable at all...fail!!!.have another go Tim/wascally wabbit.
tim
Guest
You'd think someone criticizing a simple mistake would at least make sure to spell 'football' correctly.
Heather
Guest
How disappointing to here this news Josh is a bulldog thru and thru What a disgrace that the Bulldogs would let this happen
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Foran is actually playing well at the Warriors... but I sure hope this report is rubbish.
Sam Bartrim
Guest
Simona? He's back just after Easter from his betting scandal...it's another miracle...gee you know your footbal mate!!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's the way of the world these days. Hopefully this report has jumped the gun and the Dogs can find a way to keep him. I don't / won't blame Reynolds at all if it just comes down to cash. In some ways he's a victim of timing. Mbye is signed for another three years and if that wasn't the case I think Mbye would be moved on. Whatever happens, Reynolds will always have my appreciation for everything he's given to the Dogs.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
My sympathies TB - can't believe that the Dogs have made the decison to let Reynolds go. But if he is going to be paid in excess of $750,000 per annum at the Tigers there is a pull factor as well which Reynolds would find difficult to resist. There is only a short window for players to operate in and they need to maximise their return. Funny how club supporters can see the value in certain players but the clubs don't appear to see it. For example, I and a lot of other Raiders supporters had a huge opinion of Paul Vaughan and Mitch Barnett who were seen as fringe players in the squad on moderate money but they are now killing it at other clubs. There are certain intangibles that players bring to teams that supporters appear to see but others in the club don'st seem to recognise. And agree completely with Con that Reynolds is the sort of player who can win a game out of nowhere when nothing is happening - a rare quality. Reynolds might not be flashy but he will give you everything when you need it the most.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I would argue that over the past two years there have been at least half a dozen games that the Dogs have won primarily because of Josh Reynolds. This year he was arguably instrumental in two matches. Down against the Broncos he scores an unlikely try chasing a kick that 90% of players would not have scored. He made it because he never gives up, never stops chasing. Same again when the Dogs were down against Souths when he chased a grubber and scored a try under Alex Johnston's nose. The way he keeps going is inspirational and has kept the Dogs in a lot of matches. A lot of people underestimate how valuable he is.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Rob, what shocked me more than Reynolds' half trip, was Tolman making no attempt to stop Simona as he ran in for the match winning try. Simona passed within centimetres of Tolman, who appeared to give the Tiger a pat on the back as he ran past.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Ha ha,have a good look at your mob Will!