NRL 2024: Knights star Jack Hetherington breaks silence on Reed Mahoney tunnel altercation

Knights forward Jack Hetherington has broken his silence on the Accor Stadium tunnel altercation with Reed Mahoney, expressing his regret and insisting he has matured, writes Phil Rothfield.

Jack Hetherington breaks his silence on the infamous tunnel scuffle with Reed Mahoney.

Knights forward Jack Hetherington has broken his silence to express regret over the Accor Stadium tunnel flare-up with Bulldogs star Reed Mahoney last weekend.

“I was not being serious about fighting him … but it was stupid,” Hetherington said.

“If I had my time again, I would not have done it. They could have made an example of me even if it was lighthearted.

“I was actually expecting to get a bit longer than a week.”

Hetherington is dirty on himself because he has worked hard in recent years on his discipline, staying clear of the match review committee since 2021.

“I’m a bit over people holding stuff over my head from when I was a young player,” he said.

“I’m 28 now and I’ve matured a lot. I’ve now got three young kids. I spend my weekends at home. I rarely go out. I’m a family man. I want to be known as a footballer, not a hothead.”

Jack Hetherington has spoken out about his tunnel altercation with Reed Mahoney, expressing his regret. Picture: Getty Images

Without naming Mahoney, Hetherington admits the no-punch rule that was introduced to the NRL in 2013 has given players like the Canterbury hooker the courage to bait and annoy the big men with no repercussions.

Mahoney is the most heavily penalised player in the NRL and renowned for niggling tactics.

“I hate a little smart arse who runs in like he does,” he said.

I asked Hetherington about suggestions he was continually niggled by Mahoney and Jaimon Salmon during the game.

It was an obvious tactic that led to the tunnel brain explosion.

“They were like little pests,” Hetherington said, “Like little Chihuahuas … but that doesn’t mean I should have done what I did.”

Reed Mahoney and Jack Hetherington clash in the tunnel at Accor Stadium. Picture: Fox League

The story dominated the rugby league news cycle for days.

Canterbury’s general manager of football Phil Gould spoke of Hetherington on Channel 9’s 100 Footy on Monday night, recalling old stories of his days at the Bulldogs and Penrith.

Not that the Knights prop was all that happy about it.

“I love Gus Gould, I respect him and he’s really looked after me since I was a young fella,” Hetherington said.

“But he said something on TV how I’d rung him and told him I’d been jumped by four blokes in a car park one night. I don’t recall that.

“I think he’s added a bit of GST to the story to make it sound a bit funnier.”

He also denies that he ever wanted to fight Paul Gallen, as Gus suggested on the show.

“Gus said I was ringing him up constantly wanting to fight Gal,” Hetherington said.

“That’s not true. I might have said I’d love the money Gal’s getting out of boxing.

“I reckon it was Gus trying to gee Gal up on the show.

“Seriously, Gal would towel me up something shocking. I would never want to fight him.”

For now, Hetherington is concentrating on getting back for the Knights next weekend against the Warriors.

He refuses the concede the Knights’ season is over, despite losing superstar Kalyn Ponga for 12 weeks.

“I’m really keen to get back,” he said, “I feel like I’ve let the team down. I can’t wait to rip in against the Warriors and make up for it.”