Canterbury Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney has spoken candidly about his future with the club, firmly pushing back against suggestions that he’s on his way out. He also shared thoughtful insights on the high-profile arrival of teenager Lachlan Galvin and the uncertain status of teammate Toby Sexton.
In an interview recorded before the Bulldogs’ Round 15 match against the Parramatta Eels—a game in which Mahoney was moved from the starting hooker role to the bench to make way for Galvin—Mahoney revealed that his current contract with the club extends into next season. Despite reports suggesting he could be squeezed out of the team, Mahoney labeled such speculation as “complete rubbish.”
“I’ve got a contract for 2026. I’m not trying to leave, and the club’s not pushing me out either,” Mahoney said during a sit-down with former NRL winger Josh Mansour on The Unscripted Show podcast. “We had some early conversations just to get a sense of what things might look like beyond 2027, that’s all. The club just said they don’t know yet. That’s the reality.”
Mahoney, who reportedly earns around $600,000 per season, has recently been linked to a possible move to the North Queensland Cowboys. But according to him, those links are being overblown. He said his discussions with general manager Phil Gould (“Gus”) and his management were merely about planning ahead—not about orchestrating an exit.
“We got on the front foot with Gus and my manager. It wasn’t about getting pushed out or anything like that,” Mahoney reiterated. “They didn’t tell me to leave. I haven’t been asked to go. It was just a proactive chat.”
He even left the door open for an extension, saying, “The Dogs could re-sign me next week for all I know. I’ve spoken to Gus at length. I trust him, just like anyone does. I’ll keep playing good footy and let the rest work itself out.”
When asked directly if he wanted to remain at Belmore, Mahoney didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, of course. I love the Dogs.”
His agent, Sam Ayoub, echoed this stance during an interview with News Corp, slamming any suggestion that Mahoney was being sidelined.
“Reed made 32 tackles in the first half alone against the Eels. He put in an enormous effort. He’s absolutely not on the outer,” Ayoub said. “I approached the club and asked about Reed’s position after 2026. They said they weren’t sure, and I asked if I could quietly explore options. They were fine with that, but also made it clear they were happy for him to stay. It was all done respectfully, and Gus has always been honest in that way.”
The sudden elevation of 19-year-old Lachlan Galvin, who recently joined the Bulldogs from Wests Tigers, has shaken up the club’s spine. Galvin’s arrival came with enormous fanfare—and some controversy, especially considering the Bulldogs currently sit first on the NRL ladder. Mahoney, however, has been impressed with the young halfback’s attitude and resilience amid public scrutiny.
“You’ve got to remember, he’s only 19,” Mahoney said. “He’s a quiet kid, but from what I’ve seen he works incredibly hard. He’s like a sponge—always asking questions and trying to improve.”
Mahoney acknowledged the emotional weight Galvin has carried due to the noise around his exit from the Tigers.
“Honestly, hats off to him. What he’s gone through over the last few months would be tough for anyone, let alone someone that young,” Mahoney added. “He told us from day one, ‘I’m here to work hard and earn your respect.’ And that’s exactly what he’s done. He’s fitting in well and wants to learn. Everyone knows he can play—it was just a matter of how he’d fit in, both in the team and culturally.”
However, Monday’s game against the Eels brought fresh drama. Mahoney was visibly emotional after being subbed off so Galvin could come on, with Sexton moving to hooker. In a post-match reveal, Sexton admitted he initially thought Galvin’s call for him to shift to the middle was a prank.
Mahoney addressed Sexton’s situation with care. The playmaker, who is off-contract after this season, appears to be the most affected by Galvin’s emergence. Mahoney described Sexton as a consummate professional and supportive teammate.
“I’m pretty close with Toby,” Mahoney said. “Since day one he’s been nothing but great. He came in and said, ‘I’m here to help, I want to improve, and I want us to get better.’ That’s just who he is.”
Mahoney also noted that people are often unfair to young halves, expecting immediate results.
“Halfbacks get judged so harshly. Toby’s not even played 50 NRL games yet and people expect him to be Nathan Cleary already. That’s a huge ask,” he explained. “But Toby does everything right—he trains hard, he studies video, and he took us to the finals last year. And right now, we’re sitting on top of the ladder. That says a lot.”
Though the long-term configuration of the Bulldogs’ spine remains uncertain—especially with Galvin’s rise and Sexton’s contract status—Mahoney is choosing to stay focused on his own performance.
“I try not to worry too much about the other stuff,” he said. “That’s not my area. I just do my job and play my role.”
While the changes in the team have caused friction and sparked plenty of speculation, Mahoney’s words suggest he’s taking a measured, loyal, and team-first approach—whether that means staying at Canterbury long-term or eventually moving on. For now, though, he remains a Bulldog with no intention of walking away.
