What have I done?': Bulldogs recruit Reed Mahoney reveals startling mid-season regret

By Damien McCartney - 1 day ago

After signing with the Bulldogs some 12 months in advance, former Eel Reed Mahoney admitted he was getting cold feet, and even reached out to Panther Stephen Crichton as the Eels made the 2022 Grand Final.

New Bulldogs recruit Reed Mahoney has admitted he was having doubts about his off-season move as the Eels marched towards the NRL grand final.

Mahoney rejected a three-year extension with the Eels to pen a four-year, $650,000-a-season contract with the Bulldogs in late-2021.

He will co-captain the side in 2023, alongside star half Matt Burton.

Mahoney said his parents were in tears when he called them with the news he would be leading the side.

"I didn't really know what to say; Mum and dad were in tears and super proud of me."

Burton in early January signed a massive five-year extension to stay at Belmore. He told Nine he was never looking to go elsewhere, despite his player agent David Riolo fielding interest from the

"As soon as they wanted to lock me down, I didn't even bother looking," he said.

"I told my manager, 'this is where I want to be, this is home for me'."

The Bulldogs play the Raiders in the first of two trial matches in Moruya on February 12, and then the Sharks at Belmore the following weekend.

They take on the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval in round one.

"I get that comment a lot since I started my channel over six year ago. Anytime someone has a disagreement they say "Go and focus on Football" or "You know nothing about the NRL, focus of the "Pommy" Super League". I'm rarely wrong about Parramatta,…"

"Yehez, Ryles seems to have some passion for the club. He has a hard task considering the recruitment is almost non existent to date . Looking at our Temu roster it is the equivalent of say New Zealand or Sudan on the world scale should a word war…"

"That was the early rounds when he played centre. He was dropped for a couple of weeks then come back on the wing. Since the switch he has been our best back by far. You are saying he was the best shit player in a shit backline. I think it would be…"

Replies

Parra fan on The Hill February 4, 2023 at 5:18pm

Who gives a shit. ..This a bulldogs story.
- Zip zip > Parra fan on The Hill February 4, 2023 at 10:51pm
  
  Don't you love how players keep quiet during negotiations while their managers publicise how many clubs they're talking to. Then once they sign the big contract, come out and say 'I was never looking to go elsewhere' LOL $$
  - Wizard “Alcatraz “Sleeve > Zip zip February 6, 2023 at 8:44pm
    
    Burton is so full of shit .
Jack February 4, 2023 at 7:07pm

Just shows the power Gus has
Offside February 4, 2023 at 7:24pm

Mahoney is an arrogant turd he was always going to go to the 1st team that kissed his Arse.

Good riddance
- Poppa > Offside February 4, 2023 at 7:33pm
  
  The story really is neither here or there....whats the point you are trying ti make Monts?
  - MontoEel > Poppa February 4, 2023 at 10:21pm
    
    I'm trying to give us old farts something to read in the off season
    - Poppa > MontoEel February 5, 2023 at 8:45am
      
      That's Mister Old Fart to you....Lol
Flow Basket February 4, 2023 at 9:15pm

Eels 32

Dogs 12
Wizard “Alcatraz “Sleeve February 6, 2023 at 8:34pm

Hahaha , " hey mum and dad I have been selected along with 16 other players to be the captain ".

It will be the highlight of 2023 for him . He will be the biggest letdown of the season is my prediction .