Canterbury Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney has pushed back strongly against speculation suggesting he is being forced out of the club, labelling the rumours as “complete rubbish” while expressing admiration for teenage recruit Lachlan Galvin and support for teammate Toby Sexton amid a major reshuffle in the Bulldogs’ playmaking ranks.
Speaking on The Unscripted Show podcast ahead of the Bulldogs’ Round 15 clash with the Eels, Mahoney clarified his future at the club, insisting he remains under contract for 2026 and has not been asked to leave.
“I’m still contracted next year at the Dogs, so it wasn’t like I’m trying to leave or they’re pushing me out,” Mahoney said. “They didn’t kick me out. I haven’t been asked to leave. That’s complete rubbish.”
The former Eels star, who is earning approximately $600,000 per season, admitted to holding preliminary talks with Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould and his management to gauge clarity beyond 2027. However, he stressed that the discussion was proactive rather than reactionary.
“The Dogs could re-sign me next week, you know what I mean?” Mahoney added. “I trust Gus as anyone does, and I’ll just keep playing good footy and these things will happen.”
Mahoney’s agent, Sam Ayoub, echoed those sentiments, stating the club gave them the green light to explore options beyond next season in good faith but remain open to retaining Mahoney.
Despite being benched for the second half against the Eels—where Sexton took over at hooker to allow Galvin’s debut at halfback—Mahoney expressed no animosity toward the 19-year-old. Instead, he praised Galvin’s humility and determination.
“He’s 19. You’ve got to remember he’s 19,” Mahoney said. “For everything that he’s been through the last few months, hats off to him… Everyone sees the talent, it was more a question of where he was going to fit in culturally as well.”
Mahoney noted Galvin’s willingness to earn his teammates’ respect and praised his attitude:
“He said, ‘I’m here to work hard and gain your respect’… it seems like he’s fitted in really well.”
Meanwhile, Mahoney also gave a measured endorsement of Sexton, who remains unsigned beyond 2025 and finds himself at the center of the Bulldogs’ reshuffling.
“I’m pretty close with Toby… He’s been nothing but great for us,” Mahoney said. “He took us to a finals last year, we’re sitting first at the moment. Unfortunately, this sort of stuff isn’t my cup of tea to worry about.”
While Monday’s game—which saw the Dogs beat the Rabbitohs 24-18—may have left lingering questions over Mahoney’s on-field role moving forward, his message off the field was clear: he remains committed to the club, trusts its leadership, and wants to stay.
As the Bulldogs sit atop the NRL ladder, the internal competition for spots may grow fiercer, but for now, Mahoney is determined to keep fighting for his place in blue and white.
