Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup are in for “a football lesson you just can’t buy” by playing with Josh Reynolds in 2023, according to True Blue Luke Lewis.
Lewis is a big fan of his 2014 NSW Origin-winning teammate in Reynolds, who will wear the No.7 when the Bulldogs travel to 4 Pines Park on Saturday (4 March) to play the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in Round One.
“He’s an all-round good fella and he’s a good mate of mine,” Lewis told nswrl.com.au.
“Then let’s talk about his football with the energy he brings onto the field – it’s catchy, it’s electrifying.
“It’s hard to explain but if you spend some time around him, you’ll know what it’s like.”
Lewis impressed upon the Bulldogs players to learn off the veteran of 160 NRL games including two Grand Finals and an Origin series win for the NSW Blues in 2014.
“The amount of experience those Bulldogs boys will get off him, and his energy that they’ll feed off, it’s a footy lesson you just can’t buy.
“They will thrive around him.”
Lewis was at Belmore Sports Ground when Reynolds came off the bench in the trial game against the Sharks in the NRL’s Pre-Season Challenge.
“Did you hear that reception? It was awesome and he so deserved it,” Lewis said.
“Josh is massive for the club and of course The Knock-On Effect guys are going to benefit big-time but I think the NRL guys will too.
“I expect him to be a really good mentor, especially when players are coming into big games. He’s a really good utility.
“We so often see him in the five-eighth or halves jersey but he’s great at No.13 or fill in at No.9.
“He can come off the bench and be that momentum change. That’s why I think we’ll see him in first grade as well this year.
“Plenty of NRL games get into a flat patch where you need someone to come on and change things, spark something.
“He jumps out of the line, puts shots on, supports the ball carrier – getting involved in everything because he’s super-fit and so enthusiastic.”
