Josh Reynolds has bade an emotional farewell to best mate Michael Ennis after the NRL grand final loss, revealing how he’ll now forever share a family link with the departing Canterbury captain.
A few days before the premiership decider, Ennis asked Reynolds, who is in many ways his protege, to be the godfather to his new baby daughter, Evelyn.
Reynolds fought hard to hold back tears post-match when describing how badly he wanted to win a crown for Ennis, who was forced to watch from the sidelines with fractures in his foot and is off to the Cronulla Sharks for 2015.
Nursing a serious shoulder injury suffered early in Sunday’s 30-6 loss to South Sydney, the man they call ‘Grub’ paid tribute to his mentor Ennis the Menace.
On the field, Reynolds has taken after Ennis’ niggling tactics, tenacity and passion, but away from football he’s learnt about life from the veteran Bulldogs skipper.
“He’s my best mate. He asked me to be his new daughter’s godfather the other day, that just shows how close we really are,” said Reynolds.
“I just really wanted to do it for him and we couldn’t get it done.
“That’s probably what hurts even more. I just would really love to see him off because he’s done so much for us. It’s hard to cop.”
One of the most vivid early images of Reynolds and Ennis on the field together was the pair exchanging heated words in a match against Melbourne.
But 25-year-old Reynolds reveals their bond started years before when he was battling away in the lower grades a million miles from the NRL.
“I was in hospital getting my ankle done and I hadn’t even been in the top squad and Mick gave me a call out of the blue,” Reynolds said.
“I didn’t even know him. Being the club captain he gave me a call to make sure I was alright and from there on we just grew.
“People see him as something on the field but he’s dead set one of the best guys I’ve ever met. And I really mean that.
“His kids and his wife are No.1 (to him) and us and the fans we’re No.2.
“He’s the most genuine bloke. He’d do anything for anyone and that’s why I wanted to do it so bad.
“I love the guy he is and I’ve based my growing up and maturing on him. If I’m half the person he is when I grow up I’ll be happy with that.”
It’s been a roller coaster year for Reynolds, who was a key man in NSW’s history-breaking State of Origin triumph.
Reynolds has now lost two grand finals in three seasons and admits the defeat to the Rabbitohs was harder to take than in 2012 against Melbourne.
“It’s so hard, we had so much belief, it’s crazy,” he said.
“I don’t call these blokes my teammates. I actually call them family – I really do.”
Reynolds is fearing the worst with his left shoulder after feeling it pop out early in the match, but courageously playing on.
