Phil Gould has come to the support of Reed Mahoney, asserting that the Bulldogs hooker faces “unjust” criticism following his recent incident on the field.
In round four, Mahoney was penalised and put on report after he dived at a downed Daniel Atkinson, making significant contact with the back of his neck.
The dummy-half received an $1800 fine for this offence, despite considerable backlash from fans and the media in the aftermath of Canterbury’s victory over Cronulla.
When asked about the reasoning behind Mahoney’s punishment, Gould gave a forthright reply before staunchly defending the Bulldogs star.
Reed Mahoney is taken down after his high tackle. Fox League
“Because it was Reed Mahoney,” he stated on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.
“He’s one of the most dedicated and brave players I’ve ever seen. He might be smaller in stature, but the sheer volume of work he accomplishes in 80 minutes each week is remarkable.
“He’s incredibly competitive, always pushing the envelope and seeking ways to impact the game. Occasionally, he gets too close to the line, but he has worked hard on his discipline because he doesn’t want to let his team down.
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“Reed Mahoney is singled out by opposing coaches, players, fans, and even the media, and they shout at the referees to keep an eye on him – much of this is unjustified.
“Now and then, he might have a lapse in judgement, but that doesn’t define him as a bad person or a poor player, and what occurred the other night was minimal in nature.
“Yet because it’s Reed Mahoney, it draws headlines.”
The 26-year-old has become a divisive figure within the NRL over his career, often igniting tensions among rival players, coaches, and supporters.
However, what many fail to recognise, according to Gould, is Mahoney’s true character.
Phil Gould has stood up for hooker Reed Mahoney. Getty/Nine
“Sifa Talakai got knocked out in a tackle recently, and who was the first player to roll him over and ensure he was okay? Reed Mahoney,” Gould pointed out.
“I don’t see him receiving much recognition for that… he’s a good guy.”
Earlier in the week, both Cameron Ciraldo and Stephen Crichton defended Mahoney, encouraging him to maintain his aggressive playing style.
Mahoney is set to start in the No.9 jersey as the unbeaten Bulldogs face off against the Newcastle Knights in round five.
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