As one local junior begins his career at the Bulldogs, teammate and fellow local junior Josh Reynolds, will depart the club at season’s end.
The decision to leave was one of the toughest decisions Reynolds has had to make and winger Marcelo Montoya admitted the announcement of his team-mate joining the Wests Tigers next season came as a ‘massive shock’ after an emotional Reynolds revealed the news on Wednesday morning.
“It was a massive shock; Josh Reynolds has been a massive part of this club and to see him go is sad, but at the end of the day he’s done what’s best for him and that’s what he has to do. He’s going to be really missed,” said Montoya.
With Reynolds playing out the rest of the season in the blue and white, Marcelo acknowledged his courage to formerly address his teammates and how his decision will not detract from his passion of playing in the Bulldogs number six jersey.
“He was sad. It’s never easy telling your mates that you’re leaving a club that you’ve been at since a junior. It’s always tough news and it was heartbreaking. Josh is going to put his best foot forward like he always does and he’s going to go out every game and play like it’s his last. Nothing’s going to change and I think he’s going to want to perform every weekend,” added Montoya.
Montoya explained how these tough decisions are now expected from players as they are a part of the game and Reynolds ultimately made the decision for himself and his family.
“You have to look after yourself at the end of the day and I think Josh is putting himself and his family first in moving forward. As footy players, you have to accept it and move on because that’s how the game is now. It’s a business so you have to expect these things,” Montoya said.
See Josh Reynolds in action as he takes to the field on Saturday afternoon at ANZ Stadium, as the Bulldogs host the Canberra Raiders.
