No current NRL player knows what it takes to become a Bulldog more than Josh Reynolds, and the former Origin star is set to use it to his advantage.

It's been over five years since Reynolds last donned a blue-and-white jersey, leaving Canterbury for the Wests Tigers at the end of 2017, and eventually winding up in the Super League before returning to Belmore this off-season.

It's been turbulent for the five-eighth since his initial departure, playing just 22 NRL games in three years at Concord despite being on a massive deal, followed by a domestic violence case that Reynolds was eventually cleared of.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Josh Reynolds and Brett Morris of the Bulldogs celebrate after Morris scored a try during the round 19 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Now, on a $1000-per-week train-and-trial deal, Reynolds is ready to re-enter the fray in Belmore, and a one-on-one conversation with Phil Gould all but confirmed it for the 33 year-old.

“I said to ‘Gus' I'd love to be a part of what they're building here, whatever that looked like,” Reynolds told the NRL Digital team.

“It is a young squad. I had a chat to ‘Jacko' [Josh Jackson] about it and thought it wasn't a bad idea that I try and give it a crack.

“I had a lot of older guys say to me you're retired for a long time and that stuck with me a bit. When the wheels did get rolling I was very excited.

“I still don't know what's going to happen or what's going to come of it but at the same time it's just nice to be home to a club that I love.

“If there's one thing I do know it's what it takes to be a Bulldog. We've got a loyal fanbase and all they want is effort. That's what Cam [Ciraldo] wants too.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Josh Reynolds of the Bulldogs runs back to the defence line as he bleeds from a cut on his cheek during the round eight NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on April 23, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

There's no guarantee that the club will offer him any form of deal beyond the three month train-and-trial, although someone with his experience, knowledge of the club and pure competitiveness and tenacity could be crucial to a young Bulldogs side.

“I want to play, that's my priority,” Reynolds said.

“But I also walk into the sheds and there's 18-year-old kids training with us and I know how daunting that can be, to walk into a first grade team.

“It's my 13th year in the NRL and any sort of tips I can give to those boys I'm happy to do that and if that's the role that's needed I'll be OK with that.”

A decision on Reynolds' future will likely be made over the next six weeks, however, it's clear this Bulldog still has the bite to match his bark.

Get set for the footy with the FREE Zero Tackle 2026 NRL Season Guide! Packed with 130+ pages of player profiles, team previews, insights and analysis, the 2026 NRL Season Guide is built for fans who want the full picture. Download your free Season Guide HERE.