Josh Reynolds earns full-time deal back in NRL
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
Australian half-back Josh Reynolds has earned a fairytale return to Canterbury Bulldogs with a one-year deal for the 2023 NRL season.
Reynolds, 33, returned Down Under last year and was on a train and trial contract with the club during pre-season.
At the completion of the three-month agreement, Reynolds has earned a full-time contract with the NRL side and a place in their top 30 squad.
“It’s something we had been thinking about for a few weeks, and we were able to give Josh the good news on Saturday in the middle of Belmore Sportsground following our field session,” said head coach Cameron Ciraldo.
“We announced it to the playing group which gave the boys an enormous lift after a tough few weeks of training.
“We were talking in the morning about what sort of team we wanted to be. And we felt it was a good way to finish off the training session by saying that the qualities that Josh Reynolds brings to the team is what our team wants to display.
“The boys were pretty excited and jumped all over him. We didn’t do him any favours, he worked hard and deserves this opportunity.”
“Josh Reynolds has proved to us that he can be a really valuable asset to the team”
Reynolds last played for the Bulldogs in 2017 before three years with Wests Tigers and later a move to Super League with Hull in 2021.
He was released by then-Hull coach Brett Hodgson midway through the 2022 campaign. The half-back returned to Australia and joined Canterbury on a 12-week train and trial contract.
“We felt the leadership he brings to the team and his competitiveness, that’s what we wanted to rub off on the squad. But it was up to him to show us that his body could hold up to it all,” Ciraldo continued.
“And he’s done really well in that regard. He has proved to us that he can be a really valuable asset to the team this year, so there was no point in waiting any longer.
“We wanted to give him the confidence that we have in him and that’s why we announced it.”
READ NEXT: Newcastle Knights want to emulate Canberra’s success with English imports
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast
