>Hot head to cool head: Resurgent Reynolds turns over a new leaf
>CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI APRIL 17, 2019
>Josh Reynolds is fast leaving his hot head reputation behind – those closest to him saying they have noticed a certain calmness creep into his game and life.
>
>"He brings that energy on the field but he's developed a calmness about him, I've noticed it, and he's slowed things up here,'' said Benji Marshall, pointing to his head.
>
>
>"You can still do things fast, but if you think slow it's noticeable.
>
>"As a half he is finding that balance between slowing things down upstairs and not doing some of that stupid s--t he used to do.''
>
>Reynolds has been a standout in his two games back in the NRL, and will prove a handful for Parramatta next Monday.
>
>Even if he were fit for selection, Marshall said there was no way he would have reclaimed his No. 6 jersey from his good mate because of his form.
>
>"I wouldn't deserve to be put ahead of him, just because of what he has brought to the team the past couple of weeks,'' Marshall said.
>
>"With his energy it feels like we're playing an up-tempo game. He brings everyone else up to another level.
>
>"With the kick chase, he's so far ahead of everyone else, there's no excuse for anyone else not to be up there with him.''
>
>Marshall is a chance to return from a hamstring injury next week in Tamworth but is more likely to bounce back in round eight against the Sydney Roosters at the SCG.
>
>Reynolds has been mocked by the Tigers' medical staff for stringing together successive games after what was a trying first year at the club last season.
>
>"I've played four games in a row if you count the two Canterbury Cup games,'' a smiling Reynolds said.
>
>"I'm flying now. We have a little joke in the physio room and they're like, 'Four games, you must be proud', and 'I'm like, boys, give me something'.
>
>"I know I should have played a lot more games and I've been unlucky with injury.
>
>"I've just realised I don't need to try and set the world on fire – I've come to terms with the fact I don't have to prove myself every week.
>
>"People know what I'm about. Life is good, and when that's good, it helps with footy.
>
>"I know my role here, and if I do it every week, that's good enough.
>
>"I feel like I'm getting back to my old self. I'm really enjoying my footy. I've dumbed it down a bit. I'm not running a million miles an hour when I don't need to. I'm picking my moments.
>
>"I feel like I'm moving forward and if I continue to do that it will improve the team.''
>
>Reynolds said he was comfortable with his role when a five-eighth to organising halfback Trent Hodkinson at Canterbury. But he later lost his way playing in the halves at the Bulldogs with Moses Mbye, who played a similar running role to Reynolds.
>
>Then Reynolds lost his way a little further when he arrived at Concord as the big-money recruit, only to struggle with injury.
>
>Reynolds said he had worked hard on his kicking game, which had helped take the pressure off halfback Luke Brooks.
>
>And should Reynolds continue to impress in a winning Tigers team, Marshall knows he will be forced to bide his time on the bench or even reserve grade – either of which he will accept for the good of the team.
>
>Marshall said of his dodgy hamstring: "They've given me an extra week to try and play in Tamworth, and if not the week after.
>
>"I tore my hamstring and it was what they call a 'one-and-a-half grade'. There was also a bit of bleeding on the tendon.
>
>"I've run at about 90 per cent on Tuesday, so I'm getting there. The plan is to have a full week of running at 100 per cent. The last thing I want to do if it's my last year is to risk [further] injury. Look at Tommy 'Turbo' [Trbojevic]. As much as I want to play now, it's better to wait because it's a long season.''
>CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI APRIL 17, 2019
>Josh Reynolds is fast leaving his hot head reputation behind – those closest to him saying they have noticed a certain calmness creep into his game and life.
>
>"He brings that energy on the field but he's developed a calmness about him, I've noticed it, and he's slowed things up here,'' said Benji Marshall, pointing to his head.
>
>
>"You can still do things fast, but if you think slow it's noticeable.
>
>"As a half he is finding that balance between slowing things down upstairs and not doing some of that stupid s--t he used to do.''
>
>Reynolds has been a standout in his two games back in the NRL, and will prove a handful for Parramatta next Monday.
>
>Even if he were fit for selection, Marshall said there was no way he would have reclaimed his No. 6 jersey from his good mate because of his form.
>
>"I wouldn't deserve to be put ahead of him, just because of what he has brought to the team the past couple of weeks,'' Marshall said.
>
>"With his energy it feels like we're playing an up-tempo game. He brings everyone else up to another level.
>
>"With the kick chase, he's so far ahead of everyone else, there's no excuse for anyone else not to be up there with him.''
>
>Marshall is a chance to return from a hamstring injury next week in Tamworth but is more likely to bounce back in round eight against the Sydney Roosters at the SCG.
>
>Reynolds has been mocked by the Tigers' medical staff for stringing together successive games after what was a trying first year at the club last season.
>
>"I've played four games in a row if you count the two Canterbury Cup games,'' a smiling Reynolds said.
>
>"I'm flying now. We have a little joke in the physio room and they're like, 'Four games, you must be proud', and 'I'm like, boys, give me something'.
>
>"I know I should have played a lot more games and I've been unlucky with injury.
>
>"I've just realised I don't need to try and set the world on fire – I've come to terms with the fact I don't have to prove myself every week.
>
>"People know what I'm about. Life is good, and when that's good, it helps with footy.
>
>"I know my role here, and if I do it every week, that's good enough.
>
>"I feel like I'm getting back to my old self. I'm really enjoying my footy. I've dumbed it down a bit. I'm not running a million miles an hour when I don't need to. I'm picking my moments.
>
>"I feel like I'm moving forward and if I continue to do that it will improve the team.''
>
>Reynolds said he was comfortable with his role when a five-eighth to organising halfback Trent Hodkinson at Canterbury. But he later lost his way playing in the halves at the Bulldogs with Moses Mbye, who played a similar running role to Reynolds.
>
>Then Reynolds lost his way a little further when he arrived at Concord as the big-money recruit, only to struggle with injury.
>
>Reynolds said he had worked hard on his kicking game, which had helped take the pressure off halfback Luke Brooks.
>
>And should Reynolds continue to impress in a winning Tigers team, Marshall knows he will be forced to bide his time on the bench or even reserve grade – either of which he will accept for the good of the team.
>
>Marshall said of his dodgy hamstring: "They've given me an extra week to try and play in Tamworth, and if not the week after.
>
>"I tore my hamstring and it was what they call a 'one-and-a-half grade'. There was also a bit of bleeding on the tendon.
>
>"I've run at about 90 per cent on Tuesday, so I'm getting there. The plan is to have a full week of running at 100 per cent. The last thing I want to do if it's my last year is to risk [further] injury. Look at Tommy 'Turbo' [Trbojevic]. As much as I want to play now, it's better to wait because it's a long season.''
