Why the Wests Tigers have backflipped on star five-eighth Josh Reynolds

Josh Reynolds’ mooted return to Canterbury is far from certain with Wests Tigers officials reluctant to release the playmaker due to uncertainty around their roster.

• ‘No jab, no play’: PM calls for anti-vax bans
• NRL stars forced to move homes to keep playing

Nearly 12 months after telling Josh Reynolds he was free to leave, the Wests Tigers are now digging their claws in over the star playmaker.

The Daily Telegraph revealed this week that the Bulldogs are keen on luring their former favourite son back to Belmore, but Tigers officials are reluctant to release Reynolds due to uncertainty around the salary cap and the future of veteran five-eighth Benji Marshall.

Canterbury has been making inquiries about Reynold’s tenure at the Tigers after the former State of Origin-winning NSW No.6 was told in July last year he had permission to negotiate with rival teams despite having two seasons remaining on his estimated $750,000 contract.

The shopping around of Reynolds was prompted when Marshall indicated a desire to play on in 2020, meaning the Tigers wouldn’t need two five-eighths, particularly not one sitting outside first grade on big money.

Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo?

Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

The Tigers were willing to let Reynolds walk last year.

Nine months on, Reynolds’ future at the Tigers will once again hinge on Marshall opting to continue his stellar career or retire.

However, the Tigers thinking has changed and they now don’t want to release Reynolds in case Marshall decides to hang up the boots, as it will cost them a playmaker already contracted for 2021.

Marshall told reporters on Thursday that he remains undecided about playing next season.

“I have always said I’d rather just weigh that up at the end of the season and see how the body is feeling and if I feel good enough mentally and physically to go again, then I will,” Marshall said.

“If I don’t, then I won’t.

“But there was a point I was more worried about the game than me, that maybe we weren’t [going to get back] with how serious it (the virus) was getting around the world.

“I suppose it’s lucky we are back because I would have had to think about what I would have done next year if we didn’t get to play, I don’t have to think about that anymore.”

Reynolds is earning approximately $750,000 a season for the next two years, which is significant money for a player who has been restricted to just 14 games in the past three seasons at the Tigers due to injury.

Reynolds has been restricted to just 14 games in three years. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

It’s why Wests officials were willing to release the five-eighth if he found a suitable club to create space under the cap.

But there is also a belief from the Tigers that Reynolds wants to stay at Concord after the club staunchly defended him against domestic violence allegations from his former partner, which were dropped following false claims to clear his name of any wrongdoing.

He also played 80 minutes at halfback in the Tigers’ opening two games against St George Illawarra and Newcastle prior to the NRL’s shutdown in March, although he faces tough competition to retain the No.7 jumper with Luke Brooks set to return from a calf injury.

Reynolds has also previously indicated that he is open to a Canterbury homecoming.

The Bulldogs remain interested in their former fan favourite and have room to move in their salary cap for this year following the deregistration of Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor due to the schoolgirl sex scandal.

Reynolds made his debut as a Bulldog back in 2011. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

Marshall hopes Reynolds stays at the Tigers, but he understands if he returns to Canterbury where he made his debut and played 138 NRL games.

“I have been in Josh’s position where I’ve been at another club and the Tigers was my home,” said Marshall, who left Brisbane for a Wests Tigers homecoming in 2018.

“I just said to Josh if that happens and you go back to where you were at the Bulldogs that you love, no one is going to hold that against you.

“Josh is the type of person who wants to stay loyal and feel like he owes something to the club.

“If it does eventuate then that is all good and if it doesn’t, we love having him here.

“I’ve been in that position and yeah it’s tough but what you have to do is weigh up all the things that are best for you and while you have a contract at a club you’re more than to stay but if you choose to go elsewhere then that’s up to. I love the grub; I love having him here and I hope he stays.

“He’s one of the best guys to be around. Even though he’s got blonde hair at the moment and looks shit, we’ll still have him.”

Originally published as Why the Wests Tigers have backflipped on star five-eighth Josh Reynolds