‘It’s True Bulldog Spirit’: Reed Mahoney Defends Action Following Reports as Bulldogs Triumph Over Sharks in Cronulla

A depleted Bulldogs outfit secured a 20-6 victory over the Sharks at Shark Park on Saturday night, despite Reed Mahoney facing scrutiny after being placed on report twice.

The Bulldogs hooker is now under the watchful eye of the NRL judiciary, having been charged for two separate incidents involving dangerous tackles.

Initially, Mahoney was cited in the 30th minute for a high tackle on Toby Rudolf as he charged towards the try line.

Rudolf left the field for a head injury assessment following the incident but was later cleared to return.

Mahoney was again put on report for launching his shoulder at Daniel Atkinson, who was on the ground at the time.

“I think he’s fortunate,” remarked Andrew Voss on Fox League after Mahoney only received a warning.

In his post-match interview with Fox League, Mahoney stood by his actions, insisting he didn’t overreact during the heat of the game.

“I’m not just going to lay on someone who’s on the ground. This is a physical sport … it’s Bulldog footy; we’re tough. It’s just part of our play. I don’t think so at all,” he stated.

Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri was in outstanding form, scoring twice as the visitors climbed to the top of the NRL ladder for the first time since 2016, having started the season 4-0 for the first time since 1993.

The Bulldogs kicked off the scoring in the 10th minute with Jacob Preston forcing his way over after receiving a short ball from makeshift five-eighth Bailey Hayward.

In response, the Sharks levelled the score at 31 minutes when Nicho Hynes set up Kayal Iro to cross out wide.

Continuing to trade tries, Canterbury quickly struck back as Preston skillfully passed the ball behind his body to set up an unmarked Xerri for his first try of the match.

The first half brought chaos for the Sharks, losing both Rudolf and Siosifa Talakai to HIAs.

With Talakai failing his assessment, the Sharks’ bench was suddenly down to just two rotations, and Iro was sidelined for the remainder of the game with a hamstring injury.

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Just before half time, Marcelo Montoya was denied a try due to the Bunker reviewing that Xerri had impeded Sam Stonestreet’s ability to contest for the ball.

As they headed into the break, the Bulldogs held an 8-6 lead after Stephen Crichton missed two easy conversions.

Canterbury continued the momentum in the second half, with Crichton shrugging off Atkinson to cross for a try out wide.

Atkinson was filling in at a different position due to Iro’s absence.

Xerri smashed through the Sharks’ defence to add his second try before the Sharks saw a potential late try slip away.

Referee Chris Butler initially awarded a penalty try for the Sharks after a player impeded the chaser, but Bunker official Grant Atkins ruled that there had been a fair contest for the ball.

In a strange turn of events, Sitili Tupouniua was sent to the sin bin for a late shoulder charge on Braydon Trindall after the final siren had sounded.