Five-eighth Josh Reynolds returns to the Bulldogs line-up after being sidelined with a knee injury, but at the expense of Trent Hodkinson who suffered a season ending wrist injury last weekend.
The exciting, energetic and fan favourite will be joined by front-rower Aiden Tolman as the big inclusion for Sunday’s final home game of the season against the New Zealand Warriors.
Reynolds has played 14 games to date and has had a frustrating year in 2015, with injury, suspension, missing the Origin series and now losing good mate Trent Hodkinson for the rest of the year, will deny the two a fairy tale finish.
The returning Reynolds who has not been seen in the blue and white since round 20, will partner Moses Mbye in the halves this week and for the rest of the season.
The combination of Reynolds and Mbye will give Coach Des Hasler, teammates and fans a great opportunity to look at the two halves that will not only guide the side through the back end of the current season, but form a partnership that will blossom in 2016.
The loss of Hodkinson is huge blow to the Bulldogs due to his calmness, the way he controls a game and the steadiness he provides, but the inclusion of Reynolds will be a perfect fit.
“There is no one here who compares to Trent in the way he controls a game for us, but I think bringing Josh back he adds that aggression and you don’t lose too much in regards to playing footy,” said Aiden Tolman.
“Trent has been a huge part of what we are about here and the reason why we are where we are, but Josh coming back in adds a lot in different areas,” added Tim Browne.
“They’re both class players and we’re looking forward to playing with Josh this week.”
LINE-UP:
1 Brett Morris
2 Curtis Rona
3 Josh Morris
4 Tim Lafai
5 Sam Perrett
6 Josh Reynolds
7 Moses Mbye
8 Aiden Tolman
9 Damien Cook
10 James Graham (c)
11 Josh Jackson
12 Frank Pritchard
13 Greg Eastwood
Interchange
14 Sam Kasiano
15 Shaun Lane
16 David Klemmer
17 Tim Browne
19 Lloyd Perrett
20 Chase Stanley
