‘He’s on the line’: Former NRL pest weighs in on Reed Mahoney antics

A former footy niggler has given the NRL’s biggest pest some advice after the Bulldogs firebrand came under scrutiny for his antics.

Michael Ennis has urged Reed Mahoney not to overstep the line after the Bulldogs hooker raised eyebrows with two feisty incidents last weekend.

In the first half of the Bulldogs’ 20-6 win over Cronulla, he was placed on report after striking Sharks prop Toby Rudolf with a swinging forearm across the head while desperately trying to stop a try.

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Then in the second half Mahoney was placed on report for the second time after he led with his shoulder into the head of Daniel Atkinson who was prone on the ground after pouncing on a loose ball.

Mahoney was not sin binned for either incident and escaped suspension, copping two separate $1800 fines for his antics in the Bulldogs’ statement win at Shark Park.

Speaking to Fox League post-game, Mahoney said he had no regrets.

“If someone’s laying on the ground, I’m not just going to lay on him,” Mahoney said.

“This is a tough sport. If you’re going to carry on like that …

“It’s Bulldogs footy. We’re tough. It’s what we do.”

Ennis, a former Bulldogs hooker who knew a thing or two about getting under the skin of the opposition during his career, said Mahoney is a talented player who is treading a fine line.

Reed Mahoney wasn’t backing down after his dive on Daniel Atkinson.

“There’s no doubt at times Reed is he’s on the line, he’s too important to that side to not be in there,” Fox League’s Ennis told news.com.au.

“It’s about getting that balance right and not overstepping the mark.

“The Bulldogs certainly don’t want to lose his energy and the quality that he brings to the side, but if he ends up on the sideline or suspended, then they lose a lot because I think Reed is so important to them.

“Definitely a tricky one for him, that’s for sure.”

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould launched a passionate defence of his firebrand Bulldogs hooker, declaring Mahoney was unfairly targeted by opposition players, coaches, fans and the media.

On his Six Tackles with Gus podcast on Wednesday, Gould, the Bulldogs’ general manager of football, launched a strident defence of the rugged No. 9.

Asked why Mahoney was charged for the Atkinson incident, Gould said: “Because he’s Reed Mahoney … I think he’s one of the most committed and courageous players that I’ve ever seen.”

Gould described Mahoney as one of the hardest-working players in the game and said “his body of work is nearly unsurpassed”.

Gould said Mahoney sometimes “sails a little bit close to the wind” but insisted he had worked hard on his discipline.

Mahoney was not suspended over two incidents against the Sharks. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

“Reed Mahoney gets targeted by opposition coaches, opposition players, opposition fans, he gets targeted by the media,” Gould said.

“They all scream at the referees to target him, but I think a lot of it is unwarranted.

“Every now and then he has a bit of a slip-up, but most players do. If they’re going to be out there for 80 minutes and competing every week, you’re gonna sail close to the wind.

“But that doesn’t make you a bad person or that you’ve done the wrong thing. “And what he did the other night, there wasn’t much in it at all. But because it’s Reed Mahoney, it creates headlines.”

Ennis said Mahoney is a key part of the Bulldogs side, praising his service out of dummy half.

“I think Reed Mahoney plays such an important part in the Bulldogs’ style of play,” Ennis said.

Reed Mahoney at a Bulldogs team breakfast this week. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mick Ennis said Mahoney is crucial to the Bulldogs. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP.

“That high energy, he really leads their defensive line through that middle of the field, gets through a huge amount of work.

“His pass accuracy out of dummy half is as good as any hooker in the competition in terms of them being able to get the ball to an edge as quick as possible.

“Sometimes those fundamentals can be glossed over.”

Why Bulldogs are contenders in 2025

The win over Cronulla propelled the Bulldogs to the top of the NRL ladder and after starting the season 4-0, the Dogs are in the conversation as top four fancies and premiership contenders.

“They are really entrenched in the new system now that Cameron Ciraldo has got there,” Ennis said of his former side.

“Defensively, their line moves unbelievably well and so connected and everyone there knows their role, does their job well. Through that defensive resolve, they’ve grown in confidence and trusting one another and that’s now filtering into their attack.”

The Bulldogs take on Newcastle on Sunday as they chase another win without injured duo Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau.

“I think it’s the style of footy that they’re playing that, whether you’re a Bulldogs supporter or not, it’s hard not to admire just how hard they work for each other,” Ennis said.

The Bulldogs are undefeated on top of the ladder. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

”That’s definitely something that was educated to the players, particularly when I was back at that club, on what the history of the club was and that style is obviously what replicates the legacy of the past of that club.

“It was a tough couple of years for them obviously not being in the final so it’s definitely great to see them back.

“Four straight wins and at the top of the table at the moment and full of confidence. Once they get rolling like this the support’s enormous. It’s great to see the club bounce back to where they are.”

Originally published as ‘He’s on the line’: Former NRL pest weighs in on Reed Mahoney antics