Reynolds cleared by police as Madge tackles Tigers' hot-and-cold culture
Author - Dan Walsh
NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp - Fri 12 Jun 2020, 03:38 PM
Wests Tigers playmaker Josh Reynolds has been cleared by NSW Police of driving under the influence after a third drug test returned a negative result.
Reynolds, who will return to Michael Maguire's starting side on Saturday, was never charged by police but issued with an infringement notice driving with an expired licence early on Monday morning as he made his way home from the club's round-four upset loss to the Gold Coast.
He failed an initial roadside drug test at Caringbah but passed a second test, with result of his third test clearing the ex-NSW Origin five-eighth on Friday.
Wests Tigers have announced the final result via a club statement. The club can now turn its full attention to Saturday's clash with Canberra, where Reynolds will replace dropped co-captain Benji Marshall in the halves.
Reynolds thanked his supporters via social media shortly after his test results came back.
"What a surprise, I was just informed that the results came back negative!" he wrote on Twitter.
"I was never concerned but just another step in me having to prove my innocence!
"Thanks to the Wests Tigers and everyone for all of the positive support during what has again been a tough time."
Maguire said he held no fears for Reynolds being distracted by recent off-field issues and renewed speculation over whether he will see out his Tigers contract.
"He's been in really good spirits," Maguire said.
"He is at his best when he is on the footy field, I am looking forward to seeing him there.
"He's been through some challenging times. He's been very positive and very professional about how he has gone about things.
"He is a pro, Josh. He's got a lot of experience, so I'm really excited he's going to get his opportunity."
Marshall also returned to training on Friday after also making headlines during the week after a social distancing mishap that has the Tigers facing the prospect of a $25,000 suspended fine from the NRL.
The veteran half was quarantined from teammates until Channel Seven reporter Michelle Bishop returned a negative test for COVID-19, after Marshall breached biosecurity protocols by kissing her on the cheek at training on Wednesday.
Maguire was in little mood to discuss Marshall's demotion on Friday, one of five changes made to the 17 that left him bitterly disappointed following last week's last gasp loss to the Titans.
Instead, Maguire said the selection shake-up pointed to the well-worn inconsistency at the club.
The Tigers' finals drought dating back to 2011 is the longest active streak, while they also yet to win four straight games since 2012.
"I have come to the club to build change, and that's part of building the culture and how we want to perform," Maguire said.
"We've made massive changes and the club itself is moving forward very quickly. We've just got to make sure that replicates itself on the field now.
"I've coached against the Wests Tigers over the years and I've spent enough time here to understand the makings of the team.
"It's about change. I have been at an organisation before where the change can come very quickly.
"We've just got to make sure we do what's asked in the past week."
