Reynolds leaves fighting spirit for Dogs
Sep 3, 2017 - 5:34 PM Josh Reynolds' Canterbury farewell against St George Illawarra lasted just 18 minutes but it typified everything the five-eighth has stood for in his time at the NRL club.Reynolds sprained his ankle in trying to gather an offload in the fifth minute, and made the injury worse when he scored in the next play.
However with nothing to play for but pride, the crowd favourite attempted to play out the match in one final goodbye to his loyal following of Bulldogs fans.
"It's bittersweet," Reynolds said.
"I was trying to hang in out there but it wasn't to be."
But with the departing playmaker on the bench it was clear the Wests Tigers recruit's spirit lived on in the Bulldogs.
With their only possible reward a meek 11th spot on the ladder, Canterbury fought back from a 20-14 deficit late to win 26-20, and end St George Illawarra's season.
At times, it looked more like Canterbury were the desperate side playing for their lives, not the other way around.
Arguably Canterbury's favourite son since Terry Lamb, Reynolds was again given the chance to lead the team out ahead of James Graham, in what will also likely be the Bulldogs captain's last game for the club.
"When (Graham) said that to me to do it, it's such an honour, it really is," Reynolds said.
"Little things like that the memories, friendships you create are the moments I will cherish forever. I will take out of this.
"Footy is footy but mates hopefully last forever. That's why I love this guy. I really do. It's massive, it really was."
Graham was equally adoring in his assessment of his six years spent with Reynolds at Belmore.
"It's sad but sport does that to people doesn't it? It brings people together," Graham said.
"It's a made-up game of made-up rules, but it just has these mad emotions attached to it," Graham said.
"It brings you close with people from other sides of the world. I'm from Liverpool (England), and he's bouncing around Belmore, and we're best of friends aren't we?"
However the two didn't leave their last media opportunity together without a few not-so-subtle jabs.
When asked if Graham looked forward to laying into Reynolds next season, he joked he would be "watching out for his trip".
"I'll be watching out for my ears," Reynolds responded, presumably referring to Graham's 2012 suspension for biting Billy Slater in the grand final.
Source: AAP
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