Josh Reynolds completes fairytale NRL return with Bulldogs contract
The player known as 'Grub' will return to the NRL in a fairytale comeback.
Club favourite Josh Reynolds has completed a fairytale return to the Bulldogs on a one-year contract after a stint overseas. Reynolds' career appeared on the brink having endured two tough stints at the Wests Tigers, before moving overseas to Hull.
The man affectionately known as 'The Prince of Belmore' will now return on a one-year contract and add to his 138-game career at the Bulldogs. And coach Cameron Ciraldo said the 33-year-old's experience was invaluable for the team.
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"We felt the leadership he brings to the team and his competitiveness, that's what we wanted to rub off on the squad," Ciraldo said. "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."
Reynolds started at Canterbury in 2011 and left the club as a fan-favourite at the end of 2017. In the twilight of his career, the veteran will likely act as a cover to the first-choice halves pairing of Matt Burton and Kyle Flanagan.
Reynolds was part of the 2014 Blues team that defeated the legendary Maroons outfit in State of Origin to end an eight-series winning streak. After leaving the Bulldogs in 2017, he spent three seasons at the Tigers.
The five-eighth left to join Hull FC for one season in 2022 and will return to the NRL at the club in which he made his name. And Canterbury fans have praised the decision to bring back Reynolds to help the halves in the upcoming season.
Smart decision by the bulldogs. massive to be able to bet on himself and get back to the top. Underrated how hard this would’ve been. Great stuff @joshreynolds9
— Forey (@fawcett_jimmy) February 1, 2023
The best news, cannot wait to see Grub back out there
— Deep Longstop 🐶🏏 (@deeplongstop) February 1, 2023
Never in doubt. Welcome home, Grubby.
— Anna (@anna2533) February 1, 2023
Liam Martin's NRL contract news
Elsewhere, Penrith have moved to hold on to their star players after back-rower Liam Martin agreed to a new contract extension which will keep him with the reigning NRL premiers until the end of 2024. The 25-year-old has been vital in the Panthers' recent success and went on to win the World Cup with Australia at the end of last year.
Martin was already contracted for the upcoming campaign and the one-year extension prevents rival clubs from attempting to entice him away from the club. Penrith said they would look to offer him a longer deal once salary cap figures for the upcoming seasons and the game's collective bargaining agreement had been resolved.
"Liam embodies the qualities we value at our club seen through his determination, courage and a relentless drive to succeed," Penrith's football boss Matt Cameron said. "We look forward to continuing discussions with Liam's management about future seasons now that the salary cap position has been ratified by the NRL as part of the ongoing CBA negotiations."
with AAP
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