NRL 2023: Emotional scenes as Bulldogs star Josh Reynolds calls time on career

Canterbury fans started queuing at the entrance to Belmore Sportsground hours before NSW cup kick-off, to farewell Bulldogs favourite son Josh Reynolds.

Josh Reynolds running out of the tunnel for his last professional game of rugby league with the Bulldogs NSW Cup team against the North Sydney Bears at Belmore Sportsground. Picture: Adam Yip

Bulldogs fans started queuing at the entrance to Belmore Sportsground several hours before the NSW Cup was scheduled to begin on Saturday morning.

As they waited at the gates, they seized the opportunity to grab selfies with injured NSW star Josh Addo-Carr as he made his way into the ground to take in a special occasion for the club and their supporters.

Addo-Carr, however, was merely the appetiser. Josh Reynolds was the man they really came to see. Reynolds was a fan favourite. Always will be. If he had his way, he would finish this season in a blue and white jersey and then spend the summer preparing for another.

His body decided otherwise. Mentally, he could go again but physically he was spent. He had nothing left to give. So under blue skies on a mild winter’s afternoon, Reynolds - affectionately known as ‘Grub’ - let rip for one last time.

Josh Reynolds running out of the tunnel for his last professional game of rugby league with the Bulldogs NSW Cup team against the North Sydney Bears at Belmore Sportsground. Picture: Adam Yip

The club had renamed the hill the ‘Josh Reynolds Hill’ to mark the occasion. Reynolds ran out through an honour guard featuring several of his former teammates, including the likes of James Graham, Dale Finucane and Josh Jackson.

For 40 minutes or so, he gave his all. He always has. Reynolds didn’t depart with a win - the Bulldogs were well beaten by North Sydney - but he gave his friends and family something to remember.

Great moment for ⁦@NRL_Bulldogs⁩ and Josh Reynolds pic.twitter.com/vgfzHhngfS

— Brent Read (@brentread_7) July 15, 2023

There was even a shade of the behaviour that led to him being christened Grub as he grabbed an opponent’s shoe in the first half and threw it about 20 metres.

The hill was renamed the ‘Josh Reynolds hill’ as the Bulldogs star ran out for his club for the last time. Picture: Adam Yip

“I am quite sad to be completely honest,” Reynolds said afterwards.

“The thing is everyone was telling me eventually you won’t want to get up and play any more. The sad thing for me is I do, but my body won’t let me.

“I have already accepted that I am going to struggle without the game so much, because I still love it. I still honestly love it. It makes me really proud that I was able to play this sport that I love and grew up with as a kid.”

An emotional Reynolds admits he’s sad to be hanging up the boots, but proud of his career. Picture: Adam Yip

The Bulldogs have been part of his life for as long as he can remember, rising though the ranks of SG Ball and under 20s before becoming a fully-fledged first grader.

He left for a while, spending time at the Wests Tigers and in England, but always bled blue and white. When he had the chance to return this season, it was a dream come true.

Now his time is up, although he will stay involved with the club in retirement in some capacity. He wants to inspire young kids in the area and show them that you don’t have to be the most skilful player to make the cut.

“I have accepted my role in every team I have been part of,” Reynolds said.

“Whether that was to get in people’s faces and do the weird shit I did on the field …. I accepted that.

“I want to get into young guys from this area and make them realise you don’t have to be like Latrell Mitchell or Cody Walker …. there is always a spot for a guy who wants to do his best.”