NRL news: Reed Mahoney contract, Eels hooker dines out with Bulldogs
Canterbury supremo Phil Gould has spoken about the sensitive negotiations with Reed Mahoney after the Eels hooker was spotted being wined and dined by Dogs officials this week.
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Eels hooker Reed Mahoney’s manager personally rang and told a senior Parramatta official his client was meeting with Canterbury management to avoid potentials dramas.
On Tuesday night, Mahoney was spotted at a Chinese restaurant inside Canterbury Leagues Club with Bulldogs officials, including high-profile general manager of football, Phil Gould.
“I was being transparent,” Mahoney’s agent Sam Ayoub said.
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But Ayoub has angrily denied his Eels star was seeking $700,000 a season.
The Bulldogs launched a multimillion-dollar bid to Mahoney over a private dinner.
The Daily Telegraph broke the story online (read below) about the high-powered meetings, which included Mahoney, Ayoub, Gould, Bulldogs head coach Trent Barrett and club chairman John Khoury.
Prior to dinner, Mahoney was given a guided tour of the Bulldogs’ high-performance facilities at Belmore Sports Ground.
“Nothing to report,” Gould told The Daily Telegraph.
“Had a nice dinner with Reed. I wanted him to meet our people. He’s a very impressive young man. No formal offer at this stage. Very much preliminary discussions.
“If Reed shows a genuine interest in being a Bulldog, we would be keen for further talks. We shall see what the future brings.”
Aware the meeting may attract attention, and make Parramatta uncomfortable, Ayoub rang Eels general manager of football, Mark O’Neill, to be “transparent”. Ayoub also said he was tired of reading inflated figures suggesting Mahoney was chasing $700,000 a season.
“I was being transparent — I let Mark O’Neill know about the meeting,” Ayoub said.
“I didn’t say which club we were meeting but I told him we were meeting with a club on Tuesday night. I do things the right way.
“We didn’t do anything wrong. We even went the extra mile to be transparent by letting Parramatta know. Reed is entitled to do that and they (Parramatta) know that.
“It was legal, we were entitled to do it. It’s important for the fans to know that.
“The only way a player is going to know his worth is by talking to others. The only way I’m going to establish his worth is by talking to clubs.
“And don’t forget, Reed was at Canterbury as a junior (playing under 20s).
“At no stage have we spoken to a club and asked for a figure. We have never, ever suggested or proposed a figure to any club about Reed’s value. We keep reading that Reed is asking for $700,000 a year. All that is doing is misleading Parramatta fans.
“He has never asked for $700,000. He has never asked for a figure, and neither have I and we have maintained that stand. We have not received any offers from any clubs. The figures being report are fiction.
“The meeting was about Reed getting to know whether the club which could potentially be the place that’s viable for him. It’s not just about money – who their coach is, their strengths, roster.”
Ayoub said Mahoney was allowed to talk with rival clubs given the NRL’s November 1 deadline had passed and the player comes off contract at Parramatta after next season.
“It was just a meet and greet,” Ayoub said. “Reed did nothing wrong. The club has shown interest in a player, which they are entitled to do, and it’s something Reed is also entitled to do.
“It’s no different to you going to look for another job to see if it’s viable for you or if it’s better for you, or whether it’s not, or if the money is better. The Bulldogs showed every bit of respect for a good club aiming to be great again.
“Reed hasn’t made a decision. Any club that shows interest is potentially in the equation. He is entitled to consider all the options that are available to him.”
The Daily Telegraph reached out to Gould for comment but he did not respond.
Mahoney told Bulldogs officials at the dinner he wanted to be respectful of Parramatta before reaching a final career decision. He has already been linked to Brisbane, Gold Coast and the newly-formed Dolphins.
Exclusive: Dogs wine and dine Eels star
- Dean Ritchie, Phil Rothfield
Canterbury has launched a multimillion-dollar bid to sign Parramatta Eels hooker Reed Mahoney over a private dinner at a Chinese restaurant on Tuesday night.
The Daily Telegraph has obtained exclusive footage from the Dynasty restaurant inside Canterbury Leagues Club where the club’s heaviest hitters met with Mahoney, who comes off contract after next season.
Bulldogs head coach Trent Barrett was at the meeting along with general manager of football, Phil Gould, club chairman, John Khoury along with Mahoney and his manager, Sam Ayoub.
Before dinner, Mahoney was given a tour of the Bulldogs’ facilities at Belmore Sports Ground. Mahoney told Canterbury officials he was impressed with the facilities and would make a decision within the next fortnight.
The hooker was upfront with the Bulldogs, telling them he wanted to speak with Parramatta before finalising his decision.
Mahoney, already linked to Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Dolphins, is free to officially explore his options for 2023 given he comes off contract after next season.
Dogs are back and hungry to right recent wrongs
-Dean Ritchie
In sticky 24C temperatures on Wednesday, Canterbury became the first NRL club to start training for the 2022 season. And most would agree the Bulldogs should be first back given they ran last this year.
Even new recruit Max King spoke about wanting to help “restore some pride in the jersey”.
High-profile signing Paul Vaughan was among a group of NRL players, including King, Corey Allan, Jake Averillo, Josh Cook, Jayden Okunbor, Aaron Schoupp, Jackson Topine, Zac Hetherington, Bailey Biondo-Odo, Matt Doorey and Brandon Wakeham, to step out for off-season training on Wednesday.
Players underwent morning screen tests before a gym and wrestle session followed by an afternoon field session. Rookie Bulldog players — along with train-and-trialists – returned to training on Monday.
“I’m just trying to be the best player I can be,” King said. “I feel like it’s been a great match for me coming here because the club’s in that sort of rebuilding stage where they want to put a bit more pride in the jersey. I’m in that stage in my career where I’m hungry to help build the club into that.
“That is one thing that, you know, such a historic club, I’m eager to learn more about that history. Terry Lamb was a bit young for me but I remember it being Willie Mason and Sonny Bill, Steve Price and watching James Graham. But yeah, it is a power club.
“It’s a proud, hardworking club. And I’m sure the club would be the first one to say it’s probably gone away from that over the last couple of years, and that’s probably something it’s aiming to work towards. And, yeah, sort of restore a bit of pride in the jersey.”
Expectations continue to soar at Belmore after an amazing recruitment drive which netted Vaughan, Matt Dufty, Matt Burton, King, Josh Cook, John Asiata, Brent Naden, Braidon Burns, Tevita Pangai and Josh Addo-Carr.
“There is a heap of optimism in and around the club this coming season. They have bought unbelievably well and I guess with that expectations will increase,” Bulldogs great David ‘Cement’ Gillespie said.
“The club has endured a few lean seasons but you can feel the fans are getting their confidence back due to the improved roster.
“Addo-Carr will be huge, as will Burton and Pangai. I reckon Canterbury has easily been the most active and successful club in the open market. Success may not come instantly but I think this is certainly a top eight side. And that’s what the loyal fans deserve.
“Canterbury has such a long and proud history and it hurts everybody to see them on the bottom. Having Gus (Gould) there is also huge for the Bulldogs.”
The mainstays of Canterbury’s top 30 for next season will return on November 17 before the new buys who competed in the 2021 finals — Naden, Burton, Pangai and Addo-Carr – start in early December.
Canterbury won just three games this year and finished last while claiming only three matches in 20202. That equates to a modest six wins in the past 44 games for a win ratio of 13.6 per cent.
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton is understandably upbeat heading into the season.
“There is a really positive vibe around the club at the moment and everyone has bought into what we are trying to achieve this year,” Warburton said.
Addo-Carr sets high bar for rebuilt Bulldogs
- Michael Carayannis
Josh Addo-Carr has arrived at Belmore dreaming big. The marquee Canterbury recruit has hitout at the “naysayers” and believes the club cannot only break their finals drought but finish in the top four.
Addo-Carr has been an instant hit with the Bulldogs faithful even before he has laced up a boot. The photo of him wearing Canterbury colours for the first time was the club’s most liked Instagram post.
The ex-Storm flyer said it was hard not to get excited by the welcome he has received already.
“I love it,” Addo-Carr said. “It’s been hectic and good to be back in Sydney. Everyone has shown nothing but love and support.
“The fans and the members – everyone in Belmore has gone above and beyond for me and my family. I’m trying to put my feet up and relax and not think about football because it’s a long season. I’m just blown away by how much love everyone has for me.”
Addo-Carr headlines a list of star recruits for the Bulldogs. He joins Tevita Pangai, Matt Burton, Brent Naden, Paul Vaughan and Matt Dufty to help resurrect the Bulldogs’ chances.
Addo-Carr said he had no reservations about joining Canterbury, who finished with a wooden spoon this year and have not played finals since 2016.
“Everyone asks me (why I joined),” Addo-Carr said. “I just feel like it was meant to be. I feel like I’ve come at the right time. They’ve struggled in the last couple of years. They’ve sorted all their stuff out on and off the field.
“They’ve bought good players who can turn the club around. It’s not going to happen overnight but, if everyone is willing to work hard, then why can’t we be a top four team?
“It’s not going to happen overnight so don’t expect anything too soon. We will need to work hard to where we’ve got to be.
“We need to earn it but why can’t we (finish in the top four)? There will be naysayers but, at the end of the day, it’s up to us. If we’re willing to do it, why can’t we?”
Addo-Carr met Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett last month and plans on meeting his new teammates in the coming weeks despite not being due back at training until December.
“I have yarns with him every now and then,” Addo-Carr said of Barrett. “They respect I’m on holidays and they try and keep their distance. You can’t always think about football because that’s what will drain you.
“I feel like being a leader comes naturally. I get along with everyone. All the young fellas will listen to the older boys if they want to learn. It’s the personality I’ve got.”
Addo-Carr has already put his profile to good use. He was on hand as the new ambassador for Help for Hirschsprung’s disease as part of their Christmas toy drive at Belmore on Wednesday.
“If I can raise awareness to something that’s important for the community I will give my time,” Addo-Carr said.
Bulldogs reveal surprise NSW Cup plan
- Michael Carayannis
Thee Bulldogs will take the extraordinary step of having two reserve grade teams next year as the club moves to bring all its pathways systems back in house.
The Bulldogs will share its second-tier players between its own Canterbury side as well as Mounties in the NSW Cup as they honour a pre-existing relationship.
Canterbury, who won the title as a stand-alone team in 2018, have one year left on its arrangement with Mounties to act as its feeder side Cup side but it is understood the club will bring its reserve grade side to again play under the Bulldogs umbrella alone in 2023.
“Bringing back our reserve grade side to Belmore is something that was very important to both the board and all of our fans, and we are delighted that we have been able to achieve this for next season,” Bulldogs chairman John Khoury said. “The decision will be beneficial in that it will allow us to create a full pathway from juniors all the way through to the NRL, and the NSW Cup side will be a vital part of that going forward.”
The parties joined together this season with ex-Bulldog Mick Potter coaching the Covid-19 interrupted season.
Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould took a similar in-house stance during his time at the Panthers.
When Gould arrived at Penrith the club had been sending their reserve grade players to Windsor. He ended that arrangement at the end of 2013. Penrith won the reserve grade title the next season.
“We have a rich history of success at reserve grade level and that has always flowed through to the NRL,” Khoury said. “Our aim is to create depth and competition, and to return to being a club that develops its own players and brings them through the system.
“We want to return to creating a winning culture here at Belmore, and we believe that this will be another step in the right direction in regard to getting there.
“We will continue to partner with Mounties to provide support for their team in 2022, through the provision of players.
“We thank both Mounties and the NSWRL for working with us to achieve this, and we look forward to seeing our players run out in Bulldogs colours this coming season.“
SPORT CONFIDENTIAL: FRESH CHAPTER IN GASNIER DYNASTY AT DRAGONS
- Michael Carayannis, Brent Read, Jamie Pandaram
The Dragons have signed the grandson of Immortal Reg Gasnier.
St George Illawarra have given ex-Sharks player Jack A Williams a shot at making his NRL debut after the utility agreed to a train and trial contract with the club last week.
The Dragons see Williams, the son of Gasnier’s daughter Kellie, as a potential hooking option and an impressive pre-season could land him a spot in the top squad as Andrew McCullough’s understudy.
Coach Anthony Griffin was impressed by Williams, 24, long before he knew of the family bloodlines.
“When we were on the Zoom meeting, someone from our end mentioned it,” Griffin said. “We’re giving him an opportunity in the off-season to train him as a hooker. He has played in the halves at Cronulla but he did a lot of work with them last year in the off-season as a hooker.
“He didn’t get to play much last year but we have watched a fair bit of tape on him. He is really quick and really skilful.”
Williams has long been earmarked as a potential NRL star. He came through the ranks of Cronulla’s junior system and has featured for the Newtown Jets in recent years.
Williams was on the cusp of a top 30 deal with the Sharks this year before he was struck in the throat in a pre-season match against the Dragons by ex-St George Illawarra prop Eddie Blacker. The injury left him in an induced coma but Williams returned about six weeks later for the Jets.
HORROR SALARY CAP NUMBERS REVEAL GOULD’S MONSTER JOB
Phil Gould has a huge job to do at Canterbury and it appears that he is in for the long haul. Details of Gould’s contract with the Bulldogs have been kept quiet but Sport Confidential can reveal the deal is loaded with triggers that could see the rugby league savant staying at Canterbury for six years or longer.
It means Gould will be given the time and space to turn around his old club’s dwindling fortunes. He may need it. Take a peek under the salary-cap bonnet at the Bulldogs and it isn’t pretty.
The club’s roster is badly bent out of shape. Remarkably, there is not a spine player among the five highest-paid at the club. Instead, that money has been used on the likes of Tevita Pangai Jr, Nick Cotric, Josh Jackson, Josh Addo-Carr and Luke Thompson.
It has left the Dogs dangerously short of players capable of leading the side around the park.
Matt Burton will be a welcome addition next season but Gould has been working the phones and his contacts to try to put the club in position to strike when November 1 arrives and clubs are free to sign players entering the last year of their contracts.
Gould was lambasted over claims he arrived at Penrith with a five-year plan.
He himself has called those comments media gibberish and much of the Panthers’ good fortune in recent years can be put down to the work Gould did when he arrived at the club.
The Bulldogs are hoping he can have the same effect with them, although the task is more difficult given they don’t have the same junior numbers to rely upon. It means Gould’s contacts and ability to cut a deal will be even more important in the player market.
November 1 will be the first test of that ability.
PAIR FIRMS FOR TIGERS COACHING ROLES
NATHAN Cayless and Ben Gardiner are expected to form part of Michael Maguire’s new-look coaching staff.
The pair were interviewed alongside premiership winning coach Shane Flanagan and Ryan Carr for the positions with the Tigers looking to secure two new assistants.
Cayless joins Maguire from the Roosters after having previously coached at Parramatta and the Warriors. His brother Jason played for the Tigers.
Gardiner has a long association with Maguire. They worked together at the Rabbitohs while Gardiner has also worked alongside Maguire for the Kiwis. He was announced as the Magpies NSW Cup coach this year.
New recruitment manager Warren McDonnell has started at the Tigers while Tim Sheens is not expected to arrive in Australia until next month.
HARRY GRANT’S SECRET STORM CLAUSE
The Dolphins confirmed Wayne Bennett’s appointment on Thursday but they will need to wait if they want to add Harry Grant to their ranks.
It is understood Melbourne have already notified the Grant camp of their plans to take up an option in his contract for the 2023 season.
Grant has a unique deal with the Storm. He is signed through until the end of 2022 and then either he or the club had the power to extend the deal into the 2023 season.
Grant’s cut-off date was due to arrive first – understood to be midway through next year – and then the Storm had a month or so after that to exercise the deal for 2023 at a higher value.
It is understood Melbourne have fast-tracked the process by notifying Grant and his camp of their plans to take up the option, in effect locking him down for 2023.
It means he will be off limits to The Dolphins when they enter the competition.
SILENT INFLUENCE BEHIND DOLPHINS’ POWER PUSH
They have been dubbed the club makers. The go-to company in Australia if you want your sporting franchise to enter the big league.
First it was leading the Macarthur Bulls push into the A-League a few years ago and this month it was helping the Dolphins secure an NRL licence.
The silent partner in both bids helping to engage with governments, code bosses, big businesses and putting together in-depth proposals was CT Group. The two people who led the sports advisory practice were Nicholas Nogarotto and Jonathon Flegg.
The group were hired by the Dolphins off the back of their Bulls success and oversaw their successful bid ahead of two other hopeful entrants.
Nogarotto, who is also working with owners of AC Milan for the redevelopment of their stadium, said they wanted to give the NRL no choice but to pick the Dolphins.
“Our significant international and domestic experience in sports and infrastructure advisory, bid management and communications was perfectly suited to aid the Dolphins in formulating a comprehensive and detailed bid that left nothing to chance,” Nogarotto said. “Our aim was to ensure the NRL had little choice but to select the Dolphins as the successful expansion team and thankfully we were successful in that aim.
“We have been growing rapidly on the back of winning an A-League license for the Macarthur Bulls and now the Dolphins in the NRL and we are now gauging opportunities to work in some of the most elite leagues and sporting events globally.”
The company will retain a relationship with the Dolphins going forward even when they take to the field in 2023.
Their next move is helping to establish Australia’s professional swimming league.
STAR BUNNY SHOULDERS SERIOUS PAIN
Cameron Murray underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season in a move which has him in some doubt to start the season.
We’re told Murray did not undergo a full reconstruction but the injury is expected to sideline him for some time.
He underwent a similar repair job at the end of 2018 and still made it back in time to play in the opening round clash the next season.
WALKER CONTRACT SAGA OVER AT MANLY
Dylan Walker looks to have finally resolved his future but is expected to only commit to the Sea Eagles for another 12 months. Walker was in talks to secure a two-year extension. He is set to continue to play in the middle of the field – a role he thrived in this year.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have signed Warriors prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown on a two year deal. Taunoa -Brown was released a year early from his contract to reunite with ex-Warriors coach Todd Payten.
PARRA ENFORCER’S LATEST VENTURE
Nathan Brown may be off his feet for a while but the Parramatta enforcer is putting his time to good use.
Brown’s first gym – Fire Fit at Alexandria – will open on Saturday. It is part of Brown’s plan to transition to life after football as he also completes his diploma in strength and conditioning.
“Fitness is a big part of my life,” Brown said.
“Through the journey of being an athlete I’ve found a passion in fitness and in the fitness world. I’m all about training hard.
“I’ve always wanted to open up a gym. This is just the beginning. We want Fire Fit gyms throughout the country.”
Brown is on crutches as he recovers from two post-season ankle injuries including a clean-out and a syndesmosis repair. He has an operation booked in next month to repair a fracture in his opposite foot.
A host of his Eels teammates including Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson plus NRL rivals Nick Cotric and Josh Mansour are among those who will attend the opening.
“It’s a different type of gym,” Brown said. “We have made sure our lighting and audio systems motive people when they train.”
PARALYMPIAN SPRINTS INTO RETIREMENT
Scott Reardon quietly slipped into retirement this week. One of Australia’s greatest Paralympians felt like he had nothing more to give on the track.
Off it, he is only just beginning. Reardon, a gold medallist in the T42 100m at the Rio Olympics and a silver medallist in London, runs a speaking business with his wife and fellow Paralympian Vanessa Low.
“I would like to hope I have learnt so many things by becoming an amputee and then an international world-class athlete,” Reardon said.
“I want to be able to share that with the world and make the world a better place through my experience.
“Hopefully that’s the pathway I end up going down. There is no reason that just because I am no longer in front of a camera and representing Australia, that I still can’t change the way people think in a positive way.”
Reardon is a picture of the power of positive thinking. Nearly 20 years ago, Reardon lost his right leg up to his knee when his shoelace got caught in the shaft of a tractor.
He spent a month in hospital and relearned to walk in a week. He became a water skiing world champion and then a legend on the track.
“It just got to a point where I feel like I had nothing more to give,” he said.
“I have done so much in the sport and I just feel at this point there was nothing else to give and nothing else to achieve.”
SCRUM-FREE TEST
Fox Sports has secured the rights to Saturday night’s France-England Test, which holds particular interest because it will be played without scrums.
Eliminating scrums has been an argument around the NRL for years, with some pushing for it and others in fierce resistance.
The Test, in Perpignan, gives supporters a chance to witness the scrum-less game at high level. Roosters coach Trent Robinson will be one interested observer, with Robinson a director of the French rugby league. Coverage starts 9.55pm Saturday.
GET WELL, ADAM
Local footy is the lifeblood of rugby league so, with that, we want to send a get well message to Matraville Tigers president Adam Wilkes, now recovering from a cancer operation earlier in the week. Wilkes, like his Tigers, is on the way back.
ALL EYES ON
Australia kickstarts its T20 World Cup campaign against South Africa on Saturday night. Can the Aussies add the one final piece of silverware which has alluded them?
FLASHBACK
Dean Young detailed his horrific leg injury on this day 15 years ago.
The St George Illawarra player revealed how he lost 15kg after battling a life threatening staph infection. He originally needed a knee reconstruction.
The injury would plague Young for the rest of his decorated career.
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