Reed Mahoney’s agent, Sam Ayoub, has firmly rejected claims that the Bulldogs hooker is being pushed out of Belmore, clarifying that recent inquiries into other opportunities were initiated by the player’s camp and not driven by any rift with the club.
Mahoney, whose contract with Canterbury expires at the end of the 2026 NRL season, has recently been the subject of speculation following reduced minutes in the club’s loss to Parramatta and the signing of rising playmaker Lachlan Galvin.
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These developments prompted reports that Mahoney’s role at the club may be under threat. However, Ayoub was quick to set the record straight, stating that his proactive approach to gauge interest from rival clubs was conducted transparently and with the club’s blessing, amid uncertainty around Mahoney’s long-term future.
“I went to the club and asked them what they were thinking with Reed after next season. They said they weren’t sure yet, so I asked whether I could quietly look around. They said yes,” Ayoub explained. “It was all done in good faith, and they also made it clear they’re happy for him to stay next season.”
Addressing the notion that Mahoney was being edged out to make room for Galvin, Ayoub dismissed the speculation:
“It couldn’t be further from the truth. He made 32 tackles in the first 40 minutes last weekend. He had worked himself to a standstill.”
Ayoub reaffirmed that Phil Gould, the Bulldogs’ head of football, has consistently acted with professionalism and respect regarding Mahoney’s career, and stressed that all conversations have remained aligned with the best interests of the player.
