Hooker Reed Mahoney has revealed his exit from the Belmore-based club was the “toughest part” of his career, having fallen out of favour under Cameron Ciraldo.
Mahoney was given permission to hit the open market during the 2025 season, with the Cowboys handing him a three-year contract beginning in 2026.
The 27-year-old had a year remaining on his Bulldogs contract, and he revealed he was still the dark as to why he was shown the door.
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“If you find out, tell me,” he said to the SMH.
“I’m not sure. Everyone has their own opinion. I won’t say too much.
“We were going really well … it was what was best for the team at the time, which is fine. I do know it was the toughest part of my career at that stage.”
At the time Mahoney was given permission to depart, the Bulldogs were in the top four, with his No.9 jersey being taken by Bailey Hayward.
He will slot straight into Reece Robson’s jersey in North Queensland after the Origin rake made his switch to the Roosters.
Mahoney’s discipline has also been a consistent issue throughout his playing career, being renowned as one of the NRL’s best nigglers.
However, the talented hooker believed he was on his best behaviour in 2025.
“I thought last year my discipline was the best it’s been my whole career,” Mahoney said.
“It was out of my control in a way. I learned a lot about myself. If anything, I’ve taken it as motivation.
“I know how hard I work. I know what I need to do to be an 80–minute player, and I play my best when I’m playing 80 minutes.”
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BENNETT’S SWIPE AT RLPA
Wayne Bennett has come out swinging, slamming the RLPA after they claimed the NRL made a rushed decision to implement a host of new rules ahead of the 2026 season.
NRL powerbrokers have been hit with a wave of criticism after it was revealed four changes will be made to the way the game is played and officiated.
Arguably the biggest change of all will allow teams to pick a bench of six players, an increase from the four previously confirmed an hour before kick-off.
While coaches have six players on the bench at their disposal, only four are allowed to be used — with eight interchanges permitted across the 80 minutes.
Elsewhere, there will be no seven-tackle set following a knock-on in-goal by the attacking team and the third rule change is that trainers will be restricted from entering the field of play to prescribed and clearly defined circumstances.
The final change implemented by the NRL is for certain infringements beyond the 20-metre line, the tackle count will restart, replacing the current 40-metre threshold.
According to RLPA boss Clint Newton, the NRL needed to make these decision “earlier” after “more meaningful consultation”.
Meanwhile, Dolphins enforcer criticised the fact the changes were confirmed “only days out from trials, with Round 1 just around the corner”.
But master coach Bennett fired back in a big way.
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“Rushed? What’s rushed about it? People just love to whinge. It’s just bulls*** saying the rules are rushed in,” he said to Code Sports.
“What’s the blowback about from the RLPA? Why should the RLPA be consulted? They aren’t the rule makers. We have administrators and competition committees for that.
“How much time do we need to practice this? We don’t have to practice anything. The rule changes are minor.
“You just have to make sure you get off the guy in the tackle, don’t kick the ball dead if you don’t want seven tackles against you and the coaches have flexibility on the interchange bench.
“We don’t need a whole season to prepare for an extra two interchange players.“This will lead to a better product. We have a great product now but all these changes will mean more upside for the game.”
Bennett was particularly pleased with the extended bench, labelling it a “great innovation to the game”.
“There was no better example than the grand final last year. Melbourne lost a centre (Jack Howarth) in the first 15 minutes and that’s a specialist position,” he explained.
“They had to put on another player that wasn’t a centre because of the four-man interchange. That’s not just fair to a team.”
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