Round 1 Team after seeing the trial

[WT2K]

Hopefully his pec is good to go

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

Would rather run with Liddle on the bench than 2 5/8s. Best thing for Reynolds to play in ISP in my opinion he needs to get back some game time playing 20-30 minute stints wont do anything for him.

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/josh-reynolds-facing-shock-demotion-to-reserve-grade-20190311-p513f1.html

##### By [Adrian Proszenko](https://www.smh.com.au/by/adrian-proszenko-hveqs)

March 11, 2019 — 10.56pm

Josh Reynolds is facing the prospect of starting the year in reserve grade as Michael Maguire prepares to make his first big call at Wests Tigers.

Benji Marshall has beaten Reynolds to the Tigers’ No.6 jersey for the season-opening game against Manly at Leichhardt Oval Saturday. It was widely expected that Reynolds would be injected into the game off the interchange in a supersub role.

However, the *Herald* can reveal Reynolds is likely to be overlooked altogether and could instead feature in the Magpies team in the Canterbury Cup encounter against Blacktown Workers before the main game.


Setback: Josh Reynolds could start the year in reserve grade.Credit:Fairfax Media

If that were to happen, it would be an incredible demotion for a man trumpeted as the club’s marquee signing when he joined the Tigers on a four-year deal worth more than $3 million. It would make the former Canterbury five-eighth, who was part of the victorious 2014 NSW State of Origin team, one of the highest-paid players ever to feature in a reserve-grade game.

Reynolds joined the Tigers with much fanfare, one of the big-name buys lured to Concord by former coach Ivan Cleary. However, injuries limited him to just five appearances in his debut season in the black, white and gold.

Marshall justified the decision to bring him back to the Tigers last year, providing much-needed experience to the side in Reynolds’ absence. In what will likely be his last season before retirement, the former Kiwi international will get first opportunity to cement the pivot role.

Maguire is leaning towards preferring hooker Jacob Liddle on his bench to Reynolds, believing that option provides the side with a better balance. The provisional team lists will be released on Tuesday afternoon.

Maguire has shown he isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions. The premiership-winning coach is more concerned with performances than reputations, as evidenced by some of the hard calls he has made during his time at South Sydney.

 

[tigerap]

Maybe the best thing to happen here….Josh should explore SL options where he would kill em and free us up from the next 4 years of marquee cap space he occupies...sorry don;t really rate JR on $750k pa.....he is a $500k player max..

 

[The_Patriot]

Kind of happy with that suggested bench. Its a much better use of squad and provides some real impact.

Reynolds could also use 80 minutes at 5/8 and build his game again.

 

[supercoach]

Good move by Madge, we needed Liddel on the bench so there was room for a maximum of one no6\. Time will tell if he picked the right one but with our attack being our poor suit, probably Benji brings a little more than Josh

 

[Tcat]

Madge is in the box seat and making the tough calls which is good to see. I like the idea of earning your spot in the team and everyone needs to bring their A game, not only on game day but in all aspects of life.

 

[Russell]

Just my opinion but Mahe is not a centres bootlace.

Hopefully he plays for the Magpies this week and throughout the season.

 

[tigerap]

Mbye out this weekend

 

[WT2K]

Well that ain't good if it's the case

 

[Masterton]

Maybe the best thing to happen here…Josh should explore SL options where he would kill em and free us up from the next 4 years of marquee cap space he occupies…sorry don;t really rate JR on $750k pa…he is a $500k player max…

Yep, but that only makes sense if we have a good 5/8 lined up for next year. I suspect Reynolds would be keen to move on rather than play reserves on good coin. (though I'd prefer he hits some form and we never want him to leave).

 

[Tiger_Steve]

I’ve listed before that it seems that Maguire is a Marshall fan so I’m not surprised if it’s true he has the 6\. However, he fell away big time last year due to old legs. I’d reckon Reynolds by about round 8.

 

[WT2K]

Madge did try get Benji back in the kiwi fold before all the Cleary stuff happened. So, definitely a Benji fan.

 

[diego]

Due to the knee injury?

 

[Newtown]

I think that Mbye should be replaced by that young fullback who was playing in the ISP trials.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Thompson
Fonua
Momirovski
Marsters
Jennings
Marshall
Brooks
Packer
Farah
Matalino
Matterson
Garner
Taylor

Liddle
Twal
Mikaele
MCK

 

[jadtiger]

I really dont like Fonua on the wing he is not good under a high ball and i am sure DCE will kick to him all game

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Agree but that’s what I think will be named. I do like his bullocking runs though.

 

[Masterton]

Agree but that’s what I think will be named. I do like his bullocking runs though.

With Jenko already on the other wing and Thommo at fullback, it seems the most likely unless Maguire has a real surprise for us. At least he compensates for losing Nofo with his set-starters.

 

[FOD001]

I agree. Add some youth and enthusiasm I say