Reynolds not worried by position ahead of crucial Sharks clash
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Josh Reynolds has only played six times this year so his 150th NRL game celebration has been some time in the making.
But what a game to take a bow at – a finals decider, and at a sold-out Leichhardt Oval between the Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks.
The question is where does Reynolds fit in if Robbie Farah is ruled in?
"That's probably out of my control to be honest. I'll prep as if I'm playing and 'Madge' [coach Michael Maguire] will let me know what the go is as soon as he knows," Reynolds told NRL.com.
After Wests Tigers delivered a 42-14 hiding to the Dragons at the SCG on Sunday, Maguire said he had been bringing Reynolds off the bench after the half-hour mark to help with his progressing match fitness.
Due to his own injury concerns this year, Reynolds has played just six games for the Western Suburbs Magpies as well as his six for the Tigers.
He played 50 minutes against the Dragons with a line break, two tackle busts and a try assist showing he's lost none of his wily characteristics despite a minimal amount of football.
"I'm really enjoying the role I've been playing at the moment. Benji [Marshall] starts [at hooker] with four middles and they're taking the sting out of the game," Reynolds said.
Reynolds sparks try up the middle for Taylor
"Eventually when I come on it's not so tough with the big boys. So I'm liking that role a lot and if 'Madge' wants me to keep doing that, I'm fine with it."
Reynolds has no issue over whether he starts at No.9 or not.
"Not at all. Three weeks ago I was playing Canterbury Cup at Blacktown and now I'm chasing an NRL final at Leichhardt.
"It's been really good. I'm just glad of the impact I'm having so I hope to keep moving forward."
The Wests Tigers players were not told the Sharks-Raiders result until after the full-time whistle in their Dragons game. The Sharks loss meant Wests Tigers drew level with them on 24 points in eighth spot on the NRL ladder.
"It was definitely a great feeling in the sheds when we found out," Reynolds said.
"We had a little huddle after the game, had a really good chat ... the dream is still alive."
And if the Wests Tigers make it back to the NRL finals after an eight-year absence, the only players currently in the squad from the 2011 side are Farah, Marshall and Chris Lawrence.
Reynolds played the 2012 and 2014 grand finals with the Bulldogs, plus other finals games in 2013, '15, and '16.
"I'll definitely do everything I can to guide the boys and help them in any way possible," Reynolds said.
"It is very different footy in the finals. It's not going to be like the Dragons game – open and high point-scoring. You won't find many 40-point finals winners.
"But it it's so much more exciting and so much more pressure that a regular club game – it's the big stage as they say. And it's why we play the game," Reynolds said.
"So I'll help them understand that but they'll be fine. There are some great young footballers at this club."
