3 minute read

Wests Tigers playmaker Josh Reynolds looms as a possible option to fill the hole left by retired champion Robbie Farah and start the season at hooker.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire hasn't given up on completing a unique player-swap that would result in specialist hooker Harry Grant joining the NRL club.

But if the deal falls through, as expected, then Maguire is more than content to go into the season with Billy Walters and Josh Reynolds as hooking tandem.

Grant's chances of switching with Tigers centre Paul Momirovski look all but over after he impressed in Melbourne's trial win over the Warriors on Saturday.

However Maguire hasn't ruled out an NRL-first swap deal at some stage.

"I don't know where that is. Down the track, it may flip around, I'm not quite sure. That's the information that's out there at the moment," Maguire said.

For now, it seems two five-eighths could add up to nine.

Walters, who joined the Tigers from Melbourne over the summer, was solid in the first 40 minutes of Saturday's pre-season loss to Penrith.

Reynolds then took on the dummy-half duties for 25 minutes after halftime, but had little chance to make an impact as the Tigers defended for long periods.

Nevertheless, Maguire was pleased with what he saw.

"(Walters) was good. He performed well for us at the Nines. Obviously a different game, but he did some really good things out there tonight as well," Maguire said.

"Same with Josh Reynolds. He performed really well, too. It gives us some really good decisions moving forward in how we want to go."

Captain Moses Mbye is another option.

"I've still got Moses there, but he's performed pretty well in the centres at the moment for us at training. There's a few options that we have," Maguire said.

Reynolds had no hesitation putting his hand up for the role despite being a five-eighth for most of his career.

"I'd love to, 100 per cent," Reynolds said.

"That's what I'm striving for. I just want to be a part of this team. I've got a really, really good feeling that we're moving in the right direction."

Reynolds, who took part in his first match since being cleared to play as he prepares to face domestic violence charges, was also open to playing a bench role.

"I'd love to be playing, obviously the hooker spot's up for grabs, a bit of utility if I don't get the hooker role," Reynolds said.

"It's not fun - you're copping black eyes left, right and centre - but I felt really good.

"My motor felt good, and we defended a lot in that second half when I was hooker so I think that's a good sign. My attack will come."