swag_tiger
Well-known member
Is Mbye 100% out for this round?
Round 1 Team after seeing the trial
- Thread starter kingbrooks
- Start date
# Josh Reynolds facing shock demotion to reserve grade
Adrian Proszenko
3 hrs ago
[Setback: Josh Reynolds could start the year in reserve grade.
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.
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.
Adrian Proszenko
3 hrs ago
[Setback: Josh Reynolds could start the year in reserve grade.
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.
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.
Madge
Well-known member
Yes, 4pm as per usual.
Roar_Power
Well-known member
There is no way we will get away with not paying some freight on Reynolds should he go early. I believe Maguire will look to move him on at some stage with the likes of Jock Madden and Tommy Talau coming through the ranks from 2020 and beyond.
prattenparkchild
New member
Reynolds stated early last year he would have no problem moving to ESL if events moved that way. Yes, there is a big difference between words and actions, but I think he would be open to a deal if he knew Maguire was not keen on him being the main no6\. Yes, no doubt some money to sweeten the pot as well.
There is Gamble plus others that can be understudy to Benji this year in preparation for next season.
There is Gamble plus others that can be understudy to Benji this year in preparation for next season.
Roar_Power
Well-known member
Just wondering if a new missus in Melbourne and impending birth of his first child is going to impact his words from early last year.
prattenparkchild
New member
Anything is possible. Certainly family issues springing up would be a big thing needing to be addressed. Still even if he wanted to stay in Oz there would be plenty of time to take up new contract for next season if given enough notice and some assurity of WT $$$ into the negotiating pot.
