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Former Hull FC star Josh Reynolds denies latest move is a ‘publicity stunt’

Former Hull FC player Josh Reynolds has spoken on why he’s back with his old side on a $1000-a-week train-and-trial deal, declaring ‘it isn’t a publicity stunt’.

Reynolds returned to Australia after cutting his contract with the Airlie Birds short midway through the 2022 season, which came despite the Black and Whites shelling out big money to bring in the experienced stand-off.

That deal was reportedly the biggest contract Hull rugby league club had ever handed out, but it didn’t stop Reynolds agreeing to mutually terminate it six months short of its conclusion.

In stark contrast to that monster deal, Reynolds is now back home on a $1000-a-week train-and-trial deal at the Canterbury Bulldogs, the place in which he started his career and he enjoyed his best moments, playing alongside the likes of James Graham.

Reynolds is now hopeful of making the Bulldogs’ 30-man squad for this coming season and the 33-year-old has spoken to The Sydney Morning Herald to detail his return and explain why it isn’t a publicity stunt, as some have suggested.

“There was just a little itch,” explains Reynolds. “If there was an opportunity to come back here, I’d kick myself five years down the track if I’m sitting in the pub and I knew I had the chance but didn’t take it.”

The 33-year-old also commented on a lack of love for the game during his time at Wests Tigers and then in England with FC.

“I’d lost a bit of love for it,” Reynolds admitted. “People have been saying I’m doing the pre-season as a bit of a publicity stunt, but if it’s a publicity stunt it doesn’t feel like it going up those hills.”

Reynolds had made 138 appearances for the Bulldogs at the start of his career and was speaking about his desire to crack the 30-man squad, reckoning it to his competition to play the no.6 role for New South Wales back in 2014.

“The way I’m looking at it now, I’ve got to be on every day. It’s not just about being on the field, it’s everything: the leadership, the things I do around the place, eating right.

“I’m 33 and this is the best I’ve ever felt in a pre-season. It’s because I’m doing everything right. I’d say to my silly, five-years-ago self, ‘what are you doing?’”

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