Sport Confidential: Reed Mahoney shopped to North Queensland Cowboys by third party
Further fuelling speculation that Reed Mahoney is on the nose at Belmore comes the revelation that the hard-nosed hooker was shopped to an NRL rival in the off-season.
Sport Confidential can reveal that the departure of NSW Origin rake
Reece Robson to the Sydney Roosters from 2026 saw Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney quietly shopped to the Cowboys.
In the wake of Robson announcing he had signed a four-year deal with the Roosters in December, the Cowboys were contacted by a third party offering the services of Mahoney.
The Cowboys fielded the approach early in the New Year and were informed the Bulldogs were open to the prospect of an early release for the former Queensland Origin squad member to free up salary cap space.
Cowboys coach
Todd Payten discussed the possibility with the club’s recruitment chiefs before ruling out a formal play for Mahoney, who is contracted to Canterbury until the end of 2026.
There was speculation Mahoney was on the nose at Belmore but Canterbury football boss
Phil Gould insists the controversial rake is a key part of the Bulldogs’ plans.
