Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs’ veteran playmaker, Josh Reynolds has today announced his retirement from professional rugby league, with one last Belmore match set to mark the closing chapter in a phenomenal career comeback.
Reynolds has shown his full commitment to the Club in making the decision to call time on his illustrious career, selflessly exiting the Club’s top 30 to make way for the latest recruit, Toby Sexton.
“I probably got more fulfillment than I thought I would coming back,” Reynolds said.
“Some moments this year have honestly just blown me away, like Khaled [Rajab] talking about me on his debut and being able to sit on the bench with him before his debut – not a lot of people will realise how special things like that are.
“Just having the chance to play with Kiraz who, you know, speaks of stories back in the day taking a photo together when we were young and now we’ve played together. Even though I’ve loved playing this year, they’re the things, the little moments that I think I’ll look back on.”
In earlier years, the now seasoned five-eighth steered Canterbury to two grand finals, five consecutive finals series and played a key role in helping NSW break an eight-year Origin drought.
When he returned to his maiden club in the 2023 season, he vowed to do anything and everything for the Club that he loved so dearly.
“The Dogs have given me so much in my life. Really, they’ve given me everything,” he said.
“To finish my career here, it is everything to me. I am a Bulldog through and through, I will always be a Bulldog and I am just looking forward to running out on Saturday and giving it my all for one last time.
“I want to do this jersey proud. I want to do my family, friends, teammates and fans proud, and show them how grateful I am, truly.
“I have played with some warriors in my time and have loved every minute of playing but I cherish the friendships I have made more than anything.
“All I can hope for in what any of my teammates that I have played with think of me, is that I’d do anything for them. On the field I competed until I couldn’t compete anymore, and that’s what I want to be remembered for.”
While he was granted no favours on return, it was his hard work, determination and epitomisation of true Bulldogs’ values that quickly impressed Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo.
“Josh Reynolds has been a valuable asset to the Bulldogs this year,” Ciraldo said.
“His leadership, what he has brought to the team both on and off the field and his competitiveness, that’s everything that we have been asking of our team.”
Reynolds first donned the blue-and-white jersey again in the club’s pre-season challenges, but his fairytale return to first grade under the Club wouldn’t come for a few more weeks.
He played the opening round of NSW Cup and was the 18th man in Round 3 before an elbow injury to Fa’amanu Brown opened an opportunity for him to take the bench.
The 33-year-old’s career came full circle in the 49th minute of the Round 5 match against the North QLD Cowboys when he was called to take the field.
A try to Josh Addo-Carr in the last minute sent the game to golden point before a 30-metre Matt Burton field goal sealed a remarkable 15-14 comeback but it was the roar from fans that came when Reynolds returned to the fray that will stick with many who were in the crowd that evening.
The NRL return of the prodigal son of Canterbury, affectionately dubbed the “Prince of Belmore”, beckoned cheers of support from a crowd that had welcomed him back with open arms – ‘Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog’.
Reynolds famously departed the Bulldogs in 2017 to join the Wests Tigers and then English Super League side, Hull FC.
He played just 22 games across three seasons at the Tigers before his two-year stint in England. The former Bulldog was poised to retire at the end of his UK endeavours, but a home-coming dream was calling him.
He met with General Manager of Football, Phil Gould and expressed his interest to do anything he could for the club that he credits with giving him ‘everything’.
The Bulldogs had no hesitation in taking a leap of faith, offering up the train-and-trial deal. A young side, recovering from the loss of Captain and Club legend, Josh Jackson, saw great value in what Reynolds could bring to the team.
160 NRL appearances to his name, 22 Super League games and six State of Origin matches for NSW including their drought-breaking series win in 2014 – but beyond that, an unparalleled sense of pride in the Bulldogs badge.
“What Josh Reynolds brought to the side, six years since he last donned the Bulldogs’ blue and white jersey, is immeasurable,” said Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton.
“He is a great ambassador for our Club both on and off the field and if you talk to many of our young players, they’ll tell you they draw inspiration from him.”
The 34-year-old has always been prepared to put in the hard yards and selflessly do anything the Club calls on him for.
He has shown up every day since signing that deal and has been a great natural leader to an emerging side that has mostly grown up idolising him as kids themselves.
“He has been welcomed back to our Club with open arms, and by a very supportive community and we cannot wait to celebrate him and his wonderful career as we send him off the way he deserves at Belmore Sports Ground this Saturday.”
Having departed the Bulldogs in 2017 after seven seasons and 138 games in the blue and white, Reynolds never expected to be back at his spiritual home readying for one final hoorah.
Fans will have one last chance to bid their beloved ‘Prince of Belmore’ farewell this weekend when the local junior runs out for his last and final game of rugby league playing for the Bulldogs NSW Cup team against the North Sydney Bears.
In scenes that will beckon memories of his 2017 farewell celebrations, the Club has announced that they will once again re-name the hill at Belmore ‘Josh Reynolds Hill’ for the coming Saturday’s home-ground double-header to mark Grub’s final farewell.
Many of those same fans that hoisted Reynolds onto their shoulders at the same ground back in 2017 after a dramatic 20-18 win over Newcastle, will be on hand again as he makes his final-ever rugby league appearance.
The Club will recognise him on match day and cheers of ‘Reynolds’ are sure to echo throughout the 17,000+ sell-out crowd that is expected to pack out Belmore Sports Ground for the Round 20 match.
Reynolds will pull on the Bulldogs jersey for the last time this Saturday, July 15 kicking off at 12:40pm.
Don’t miss the chance to celebrate the career of a true Bulldog and pack the ‘Josh Reynolds Hill.’
