Benji Marshall knows the dilemma facing Josh Reynolds as the Wests Tigers utility faces the prospect of staying at the club or making a potential return to Canterbury.
Bulldogs coach Dean Pay has left the door open for Reynolds to make a homecoming if the Wests Tigers release him from the final two years of his contract.
Pay on Friday said that he had not contacted Reynolds about a potential homecoming but said "we've got some spots available, he's a quality player".
Marshall went through a similar situation a few years ago when he was at Brisbane but his original club, the Wests Tigers, came knocking about coming back.
Reynolds played 138 matches for the Dogs but left his junior club in 2018 for a four-year deal at the Tigers.
The veteran playmaker's first two seasons have been marred by injuries and he was given permission to negotiate with other clubs last year before staying at Concord.
Dogs ready to play their part in getting the game back
He faces a battle to make the game-day 17 for the club in round three at the end of the month with Luke Brooks healthy again after a hamstring injury sidelined him in the first two matches of the season in March.
The Tigers have also acquired young hooker Harry Grant from the Storm during the Telstra Premiership hiatus while Billy Walters impressed in the No.9 jersey in the first two rounds.
Marshall said the Tigers had been giving Reynolds plenty of stick at training about being in demand.
Jackson grateful to return to training
"He hasn't [spoken to the team about it] but we've made an issue to ask him every day if he wants to do an announcement or not, just having a laugh with him and just joking around," he said.
"I'm not sure, to be honest … I've been in Josh's position where I've been at another club and the Tigers was my home.
"I just said to Josh, 'If that happens and you go back to where you were at the Bulldogs that you love, then that's all good mate. No one's going to hold that against you'.
"Because Josh is that type of person who just wants to be so loyal and feels like he owes something to the club.
"I don't know if it's true or not but if it does eventuate and that's what he thinks is best for him then that's all good. We love having him here, because as you guys know he's one of the best blokes to have around. Even though he's got blond-dyed hair at the moment and looks shit, we'll just still have him."
When asked about Reynolds being told he could look elsewhere by the Tigers last year, Marshall said: "It's always hard to hear that, but we're in a sport where that's the reality.
"I've been in that position and it's tough, but what you've got to do is you've got to weigh up all the things you think are best for you.
"While you've got a contract at a club, you're more than welcome to stay. But if you choose to go elsewhere, then that's up to you. I love the Grub. I love having him here and I hope he stays."
Canterbury have vacancies in their roster after back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera and winger Jayden Okunbor were deregistered last month by the NRL over code of conduct breaches in the pre-season during a trial at Port Macquarie.
"It [Reynolds returning] has been talked up in the media in the past few days. What we're interested in is some quality players and that's what he is," Pay said.
"Josh would have to go through the Tigers and see where he's at but just from our point of view, if that was the case, we'd have to have a look at it.
Foran inches closer to NRL return
"We've got a couple of spots open. I think most clubs have a couple of spots open so there's an opportunity where, if we get further injuries and we need to recruit, we can bring some more players in," he said on Friday.
"I think we're in a pretty healthy position to be in."
Canterbury lost their opening two matches but Kiwi international Kieran Foran is closing in on a return from the shoulder injury he suffered representing New Zealand in November.
