WATCH: Josh Reynolds receives heroic welcome on Belmore return

Canterbury Bulldogs half-back Josh Reynolds received a heroic welcome on his Belmore Sports Ground return over the weekend during the NRL’s pre-season challenge.

Reynolds, 33, returned to Canterbury on a train and trial contract during pre-season following his release from Hull FC. And at the completion of the three-month agreement, Reynolds was handed a full-time NRL contract and a place in the club’s top 30 squad for the 2023 campaign.

The playmaker was named on the bench for the side’s pre-season tie against Cronulla. He entered the field in the second half to a roar from the crowd.

Reynolds later marked his return with a try in the 36-16 defeat, much to the delight of the home crowd at Belmore.

Josh Reynolds returns home! 🏡🐶#NRLBulldogsSharks pic.twitter.com/RVEBtPhMbG

— NRL (@NRL) February 21, 2023

Previously, he was named to start alongside Kyle Flanagan in the halves for Canterbury’s first pre-season match against Canberra Raiders. The side went on to claim a 34-18 victory.

More on Josh Reynolds

Reynolds last played for the Bulldogs in 2017 before three years with Wests Tigers. He later moved to Super League with Hull in 2021 on a two-year deal, with the option of a third.

However, his Super League stint was cut short, released by the club during the 2022 campaign. He scored seven tries in 25 appearances for the Black and Whites.

Reynolds enjoyed seven years at Canterbury originally, having made his NRL debut with the club back in 2011. He went on to make 138 appearances across his first stint, scoring 41 tries. That stint also included two Grand Finals, losing to Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

He also made four appearances for New South Wales on the State of Origin stage.

Having impressed Canterbury head coach Cameron Ciraldo during pre-season for 2023, he was rewarded with a full-time deal by the Bulldogs.

The 38-year-old coach previously commented on the 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.

“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.”

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