Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday has leapt to the defence of Josh Reynolds as the under-siege Canterbury playmaker faces an extended stint on the NRL sidelines.
Reynolds likely faces a string of charges from the NRL match review committee on Monday emanating from the Bulldogs' 41-10 loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, the club's fourth successive defeat.
The NSW pivot had a night to forget lashing out at Thaiday with his feet while getting up to play the ball, then tripping Ben Barba, before being sin-binned for a high tackle late in the game on Alex Glenn.
There are fears Reynolds could be rubbed out for the rest of the season.
He showed his displeasure at his efforts when he was captured booting a chair across the dressing room by Channel Nine's cameras and later took to the Bulldogs website to apologise for his onfield actions.
Dogs coach Des Hasler moved into damage control mode on Saturday saying he was only concerned about the high tackle on Glenn.
On Channel Nine's Footy Show on Sunday, Thaiday agreed with Hasler on the hit on Glenn and said Reynolds effort in shrugging him off wasn't too bad.
"There is no history there at all (between Reynolds and me)," Thaiday said.
"Players do that week-in week-out when they kick their legs to get a quick play-the-ball.
"There was no intent there at all, he just threw his legs up.
"With Ben Barba, he is one of those players who is really quick, and when he steps it is hard to prepare for that.
"But like Des said that high tackle is a high tackle any day.
Early season competition leaders, on the back of seven successive wins before the State of Origin period, Canterbury are now in freefall sitting on the edge of the eight ahead of their round 23 clash against in-form Parramatta, who have won three straight, at ANZ Stadium on Friday.
What won't help Reynolds cause is the four matches in suspensions he has served already this year, with loading likely to accrue.
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