NRL 2022: Josh Reynolds opens up on Bulldogs deal, desire to play first grade again

Josh Reynolds has detailed the extent of his attempts to return to his beloved Bulldogs, saying he’d be willing to play for ‘one dollar’ if it meant wearing Canterbury colours one last time.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 03: Josh Reynolds of the Bulldogs warms up prior to the round 22 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium on August 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Josh Reynolds has revealed he tried to return to Canterbury ‘about 30 times’ and would be willing to play for ‘one dollar a week’ if it meant finishing his NRL career in Bulldogs colours.

New coach Cameron Ciraldo rubber-stamped a bargain basement train-and-trial deal in August, paving the way for a Reynolds homecoming at Belmore in 2023.

Salary cap issues at the club forced out the local junior and fan favourite back in 2017, when Reynolds signed a rich four-year deal with the Wests Tigers.

Speaking on The JBK Show podcast, Reynolds said making it back to Belmore felt like a ‘fairytale’ after trying on numerous occasions without any luck.

“I’ve dreamt about this. I’ve tried to come back to the Dogs about 30 times and it just hasn’t worked,” Reynolds said.

“To be given this opportunity … honestly, you could pay me a $1 a week … and I’m not just saying that, it’s just how I feel.

“I’m at a point in my life, I’ve got other things going on and I just want to play.

“I want to represent that emblem, it’s just what I want to do.”

Josh Reynolds is excited to be back at Canterbury. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

After an unsuccessful three year stint at the Tigers, where he struggled with injury and keeping his place in the NRL side, Reynolds was released from the final year of his deal at Concord – which was worth around $800,000 per season.

The 33-year-old joined English Super League outfit Hull FC in 2021 but was also granted an early release.

Reynolds admitted returning to the NRL on a train-and-trial deal had actually relieved the burden of expectation that comes with being a ‘marquee’ player.

“Honestly, it’s a bit of a relief. People might be like ‘this bloke is off his head’ but everywhere I have gone, I have signed a good contract and I have been so lucky,” Reynolds said.

“But now, there is actually no pressure on me. What are people going to say ‘this bloke is on a $1000 a week, (they can’t say) he’s costing the club (money)’.”

“I’ve had a lot a of deals where, where they have tried to make me the marquee guy, at the Tigers it didn‘t work, it was a dud.

Josh Reynolds had some tough times at the Tigers. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“I went overseas and it didn’t really work either. Now I come back, first of all, it has nothing to do with the money. Money comes and goes.”

Reynolds played 138 games between the 2011 and 2017 for the Bulldogs, featuring in two grand finals in 2012 and 2014 during that time.

While the playmaker wanted to return to Belmore to ‘give back to the club’ and nurture local juniors, Reynolds is also gunning for an upgrade to a full-time deal once the train-and-trail expires.

“I said it Gus, and I haven‘t said it to Cam (Ciraldo) yet but I want to play, that’s my main priority … I’d fill any gap that was needed, I’d be happy to learn any role. Learning three roles in the pre-season won’t rattle me … but at the same time I wanted to show him (Gus) I am nowhere near finished yet,” Reynolds said.