The Bulldogs have given hooker Reed Mahoney permission to start talking to rival clubs in a move that could see him leave the club this year.
Canterbury see rising star Bailey Hayward as their long-term hooker and they have indicated to Mahoney that he will not be offered a new deal beyond his current one which has 18 months remaining.
That prompted Mahoney’s management to ask permission to talk to rival clubs and foxsports.com.au can reveal Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould granted it in writing late last week.
Gould’s only proviso was that former club captain Mahoney keep him in the loop with offers on the table before he signs anything.
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Gould confirmed the story on 100% Footy on Monday night and said he granted permission after Mahoney’s management asked if their client would be offered a deal beyond 2026.
“I said well it’s a bit early to make a call on him for 2027,” Gould said.
“I said but by then the salary cap is going to be tight, so I’m happy for you to have a look around if you want to. So it came at his request. How that got into the media I don’t know and who leaked that I don’t know.”
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It comes with Canterbury set to sign teenage superstar Lachlan Galvin from the Wests Tigers this week.
Mahoney, 27, arrived at Belmore as a prized signing at the end of 2022, fresh off playing in the grand final for the Eels.
Mahoney joined the then-struggling Dogs on a four-year deal worth around $2.5 million which currently runs until the end of 2026.
The No. 9 has been central to the Dogs rebuild under Cameron Ciraldo, helping take the club from 15th in 2023 to sixth last year to now sitting first on the ladder after 12 rounds.
Mahoney’s discipline has come under scrutiny recently and he’s given away the most penalties (8) of any Bulldogs player this season.
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The 175cm hooker is one of smallest players in the NRL, which he told foxsports.com.au last month brings out the fight in him once he crosses that white line.
“Most teams, they run at the small guys, they just run at you and I take that real personal,” Mahoney said.
“When you’ve got a six-foot-eight front-rower who is 120 kilograms running at you, you’ve got to get off the line and try and whack him.
“It’s just what you’ve gotta do and sometimes my passion takes over.”
Mahoney has played 161 NRL games and was called in the Queenslander was called into the Maroons extended squad for the State of Origin decider last season.
The North Queensland Cowboys are in the market for a hooker from next season after losing Blues No. 9 to the Roosters.
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