Josh Reynolds retires: Canterbury Bulldogs favourite in emotional press conference after retirement call

Canterbury Bulldogs favourite Josh Reynolds has called time on his career an incredibly emotional and passionate press conference.

The 34-year-old returned to his beloved Bulldogs ahead of this season following two years in Super League with Hull FC.

Reynolds has made seven appearances for Canterbury this season but has made the selfless decision to retire from professional rugby league so it gives more opportunities to the club’s youngsters.

The ‘Prince of Belmore’ will have one final run out this weekend for the Bulldogs’ New South Wales Cup team against the North Sydney Bears.

“I’ve decided to hang the boots up,” Reynolds said in an emotional press conference.

“It’s so hard to think about footy not being a part of my life anymore but it’s time.

“This club means more to me than the game to be honest. I honestly wouldn’t be the person I was today if I didn’t start here.

“Even just being here right now, I’m going to miss that so much because I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since I left and I’ve finally got it back so I’ve got so many good memories.

“The thing I’m probably going to miss the most is being able to compete and never in my career have I gone into a game not wanting to compete so that’s what I’m going to miss.

“This year has been has been one of the best years in my career because there’s been moments that I’ve been a part of some of these boys’ lives since they were little kids and to be able to play with some of them is very special. I hope these boys get the same feeling one day because it is so special.

“To look at that photo of me and (Jacob) Kiraz as a young kid and to be able to play with him is so special, it’s been a massive ride.

“My family and friends, there’s no way I could have done it without them. What a rollercoaster of a career it’s been – on and off the field.”

👇 Watch Josh Reynold's Retirement Press Conference in full.

— Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (@NRL_Bulldogs) July 10, 2023

Josh Reynolds opens up on decision to retire

Josh Reynolds made 167 NRL appearances to his name, with 145 of those coming for the Bulldogs and 22 for Wests Tigers.

The Australian half-back made four appearances for New South Wales in the State of Origin arena as well as playing 25 games across a two-year period with Hull FC in Super League.

On retirement, Reynolds added: “If I’m being honest its been in my mind for a little bit.

“I’ve still got the same mentality going into every game but I just can’t do it anymore.

“There’s a few training sessions when I was telling my body to get there and it just wasn’t. I just thought it was time and when the opportunity come up to step out of the 30, it was a very easy decision for me.

“I don’t really care about the game, friendships are way more important to me, I want to be the guy they can always lean on in any team. That’s what I hope I’ve brought to this squad.

“I really do love them and I can’t wait until whenever it does happen and they turn a corner, I can say that I was a part of that squad. It was hard, but it was a nice moment.”

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