Former Hull FC man Josh Reynolds is back with his boyhood club Canterbury Bulldogs and head coach Cameron Ciraldo has spoken about the dedication Reynolds is showing in his return to the NRL.
Signing for the Black and Whites ahead of 2022 on what was widely reported as being the biggest contract that FC has ever handed out there were huge expectations for the experienced stand-off.
Despite this the deal was terminated by both parties after 18 months and a return to Australia was immediate for Reynolds.
It was reported earlier this off-season that he’s since returned to former club Canterbury Bulldogs on a $1000-a-week train-and-trial deal at the club where he formerly played alongside England legend James Graham.
And Bulldogs new head coach Cameron Ciraldo appeared on Graham’s podcast and commented on Reynolds’ return.
“The way he’s gone about his career, he openly says he’s not the most talented guy but he’s 100% effort and if our team takes any lessons out of the way Josh Reynolds plays and takes that into the way we play, then we’ll be proud of what we’re doing,” Ciraldo explained.
Ciraldo has joined from Penrith Panthers where he served as defensive coach for the side that just won back to back NRL Grand Finals and the 37-year-old was keen to facilitate Reynolds’ return.
“When it came up about Josh wanting to come back to the Bulldogs and the fact he was happy to do a train-and-trial and prove himself and prove that his body was up to it, it was a no-brainer.
“He’s already had an impact, just in four weeks, in the way he goes about what he does and the passion he has for the Bulldogs. He grew up the area, he loves the Bulldogs so much. I’ve never seen anyone love a club so much, he’s so excited to be there every day. It’s hard to explain the way that he loves the club and the way that affects everyone around him.”
As part of Reynolds’ train-and-trial deal he isn’t actually a playing member of the team’s 30-man-squad, so his 138 appearances for the Belmore club count for nothing as he’s required to prove himself and earn that spot in the squad.
“Right now he’s not in the main shed with the boys. We’ve got the top 30 which is only 30 lockers and that’s in the main shed and then the train-and-trial guys are in the other shed. He’s played over a 100 games for the club, he deserves to be in that main shed but he’s with the train-and-trial guys and he’s happy to earn his spot when the time comes.”
