NRL information 2026: Cowboys star Reed Mahoney shuts door on Bulldogs exit, Cameron Ciraldo feedback, Las Vegas sport

LAS VEGAS: Reed Mahoney admits his exit from Canterbury will act as “motivation” as he prepares to formally begin a brand new chapter with the Cowboys this weekend.

The star hooker was launched by the Bulldogs with a 12 months to run on his contract after he was dropped halfway via the 2025 marketing campaign in favour of Bailey Hayward, which got here as a part of the Lachlan Galvin saga that noticed Toby Sexton additionally pushed out.

Mahoney’s axing and subsequent departure has remained the subject of debate over the low season regardless of his transfer to North Queensland.

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The 27-year-old advised The Sydney Morning Herald this month he was nonetheless “undecided” why the Bulldogs parted methods with him, prompting a response from Cameron Ciraldo throughout a current podcast interview on Unscripted with Josh Mansour.

“Him leaving was form of handled by his supervisor, Gus (Phil Gould) and Reed – that was form of completed behind the scenes,” Ciraldo stated.

“Reed’s bought my quantity too, he can ring me any time.”

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Whereas the uncertainty stays for Mahoney, he will not be taking on Ciraldo’s supply.

“There is not any have to in any respect … no want,” he advised Broad World of Sports activities in Las Vegas.

“I’ve simply taken it in my stride. I’ve bought to go as much as North Queensland to attempt to earn the respect of the gamers and my coaches with laborious work and hopefully I’ve completed that.

“That stuff is all up to now for me now, however I am taking it as slightly little bit of motivation for myself and I am actually excited for what’s subsequent.”

Mahoney will deliver a wealth of expertise to North Queensland this season, having performed 175 first grade video games throughout stints with the Eels and Bulldogs, whereas additionally that includes within the 2022 grand ultimate and State of Origin camps for Queensland.

The powerful dummy-half believes he can develop into a pacesetter amongst the Cowboys enjoying group in his first 12 months, whereas additionally heaping reward on a gifted teenager.

“I do come to the membership with a little bit of expertise, however there’s additionally loads of expertise throughout the group as nicely,” he stated.

“We have a very skilled ahead pack – our backline might be not as skilled, however they’re very gifted.

“Jaxon Purdue has been unbelievable, he is one hell of a participant and a little bit of an X-factor in our staff who can actually create one thing from nothing.”

North Queensland’s first job will come on Sunday afternoon (AEDT) after they tackle picket spooners Newcastle, who’re boosted by the signing of Dylan Brown. 

Mahoney acknowledged whereas the off-field a part of the Las Vegas season opener has been good for the membership, all that issues is getting the 2 factors at Allegiant Stadium.

“It is unreal – we bought right here over the weekend and it most likely did not hit us till we skilled this arvo,” he stated.

“I’ve by no means been to Vegas so it is fairly thrilling and it is precisely like they, the place simply does not cease. It is nice to expertise it and to play a sport over right here is fairly wild.

“However experiencing being in Vegas is not our important precedence – it is to get our preparation proper and to carry out on Saturday.

“If we will carry out, we’ll benefit from the expertise much more.”

Cowboys gamers have been swarmed by lots of or presumably even 1000’s of followers on Wednesday afternoon (native time) on the membership’s official signing session.  

Mahoney has been named within the No.9 jumper, with captain Tom Dearden set to companion Jake Clifford within the halves for spherical one.