Josh Reynolds has said he harbours no ill feeling towards Michael Maguire and says progress is being made on his future — although he’s keeping coy on that matter.
Reynolds has spent most of the season in reserve grade, with the Wests Tigers coach preferring to use Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall in the halves
But injuries to Robbie Farah and Jacob Liddle have prompted Maguire to bring Reynolds in from the cold for the weekend’s crunch clash with the Newcastle Knights.
Speaking on League Life on Fox League, Reynolds detailed how their relationship remained strong despite the club telling the $800k-per-year halfback he was free to leave.
“Madge has been really good and honest with me, that’s all I can ask for,” said Reynolds.
“He hasn’t beat around the bush, he’s said it’s going to be tough for you to break back in. But if there’s an opportunity there I’m not going to not put you in.
“I’ve got over my knee injury and then not been able to get back into the side, I’ve been playing Canterbury Cup, but in a weird way I’ve really enjoyed going back there and playing with some guys, it’s given me some perspective.
My conversations with Madge have changed over the last couple of days.
“People think there’s a bit of a beef, because Madge and the club have come out and said they’re fine for me to look elsewhere for next year.
“So people think there’s a tiff there or something but people don’t realise that, that’s the way footy goes these days and it doesn’t mean that I walk past and don’t talk to him. I’ve been lucky enough to play 140-odd games, I still like to have input. I’ve not been pushed out to the side, so that’s probably why it’s easy for me to come back in this week.
When he was told he could leave the Tigers, Reynolds was instantly linked with a return to Canterbury.
But the playmaker insists he hasn’t made any plans to leave the club, although he declared that his manager is working to see if other clubs might be interested in his services.
“I’m still a bit old school in that I’m really waiting until the season is over because I think if I’m thinking about where I’m going to be next year it’s not fair on my teammates,” said Reynolds.
“It’s a bit selfish to think about next year rather than this week.
I feel a bit guilty if I did do that, mind you my manager is doing a bit of work in the background but I try to keep out of it.
“I know that’s a cliche, all players say that, ‘and I’m like yeah right’.
“But I’ve got to get ready this Saturday for a massive game, if I’m thinking where I’m going to be that’s not fair on my teammates.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/tigers/josh-reynolds-lifts-lid-on-wests-tigers-exile-and-possible-exit-from-club/news-story/2c881822d1a9acf9cf166dfd84822d29
