LAS VEGAS: Reed Mahoney admits his exit from Canterbury will act as “motivation” as he prepares to formally begin a brand new chapter with the Cowboys this weekend.
The star hooker was released by the Bulldogs with a year to run on his contract after he was dropped halfway by means of the 2025 marketing campaign in favour of Bailey Hayward, which got here as a part of the Lachlan Galvin saga that noticed Toby Sexton additionally pushed out.
Mahoney’s axing and subsequent departure has remained the subject of debate over the low season regardless of his transfer to North Queensland.
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Reed Mahoney throughout his remaining season on the Bulldogs. Getty
The 27-year-old informed The Sydney Morning Herald this month he was nonetheless “undecided” why the Bulldogs parted methods with him, prompting a response from Cameron Ciraldo throughout a current podcast interview on Unscripted with Josh Mansour.
“Him leaving was kind of handled by his supervisor, Gus (Phil Gould) and Reed – that was kind of executed behind the scenes,” Ciraldo mentioned.
“Reed’s obtained my quantity too, he can ring me any time.”
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Whereas the uncertainty stays for Mahoney, he will not be taking on Ciraldo’s supply.
“There isn’t any have to in any respect … no want,” he informed Huge World of Sports activities in Las Vegas.
“I’ve simply taken it in my stride. I’ve obtained to go as much as North Queensland to attempt to earn the respect of the gamers and my coaches with onerous work and hopefully I’ve executed that.
“That stuff is all previously for me now, however I am taking it as somewhat little bit of motivation for myself and I am actually excited for what’s subsequent.”
Reed Mahoney. Getty
Mahoney will carry a wealth of expertise to North Queensland this season, having performed 175 first grade video games throughout stints with the Eels and Bulldogs, whereas additionally that includes within the 2022 grand remaining and State of Origin camps for Queensland.
The powerful dummy-half believes he can turn out to be a pacesetter amongst the Cowboys taking part in group in his first 12 months, whereas additionally heaping reward on a proficient teenager.
“I do come to the membership with a little bit of expertise, however there’s additionally loads of expertise throughout the group as properly,” he mentioned.
“We have got a very skilled ahead pack – our backline might be not as skilled, however they’re very proficient.
“Jaxon Purdue has been unbelievable, he is one hell of a participant and a little bit of an X-factor in our workforce who can actually create one thing from nothing.”
Jaxon Purdue. Getty
North Queensland’s first job will come on Sunday afternoon (AEDT) once they tackle picket spooners Newcastle, who’re boosted by the signing of Dylan Brown.
Mahoney acknowledged whereas the off-field a part of the Las Vegas season opener has been sensible for the membership, all that issues is getting the 2 factors at Allegiant Stadium.
“It is unreal – we obtained right here over the weekend and it in all probability did not hit us till we educated this arvo,” he mentioned.
“I’ve by no means been to Vegas so it is fairly thrilling and it is precisely like they, the place simply would not cease. It is nice to expertise it and to play a recreation over right here is fairly wild.
Cowboys followers line as much as meet the gamers in Las Vegas. iPhone
“However experiencing being in Vegas is not our predominant precedence – it is to get our preparation proper and to carry out on Saturday.
“If we will carry out, we’ll benefit from the expertise much more.”
Cowboys gamers had been swarmed by a whole lot or probably even hundreds of followers on Wednesday afternoon (native time) on the membership’s official signing session.
Mahoney has been named within the No.9 jumper, with captain Tom Dearden set to associate Jake Clifford within the halves for spherical one.
