Terry Reynolds

Terry Reynolds (1947 – 18 October 2007) was a rugby league player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels and for the New South Wales Rugby League team. A halfback or five-eighth, Reynolds played 47 first grade games for Canterbury, 46 for Parramatta and one match for New South Wales between 1968 and 1975.

A brother of Bulldogs first-grader Barry Reynolds, he joined Canterbury in 1966^[1] when the Berries (as they were then known) were building up after a long period in the doldrums to become a major NSWRFL force for the first time since the 1940s. It was 1968 before Terry played first grade, but by the beginning of 1970 he had permanently replaced Ross Kidd as first grade halfback and was established as one of the best in the game^[2] and that season he played for New South Wales and later for a World Cup selection trial.^[3]

However, Reynolds’ dashing speed and skill at halfback was already overshadowed by his flamboyant behaviour on the field – the Berries suspended him because he would not cut his long hair^[4][5] but he had it partly cut and was reinstated, playing with a headband.^[6] After further trouble in 1971 – during which season Reynolds had the distinction of potting the first one-point field goal in first grade^[7] – it was clear Reynolds would leave the Bulldogs.

North Sydney were originally considered likely to secure him,^[8] but by October it was clear he would go to Parramatta.^[9] Reynolds eventually debuted for the Eels in 1973, but faced competition from John Kolc, Kevin Hogan and latterly former South Sydney star Dennis Pittard. Often playing five-eighth with Kolc at halfback, Reynolds rendered valuable service to the Eels as they struggled in 1973 and 1974, but back at halfback became renowned for working many tryscoring moves down the blindside with lock Quayle as the Eels began their sudden rise to prominence in 1975. Persistent injuries caused him to retire before the 1976 season began.

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