NRL 2024: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 36 defeat Newcastle Knights, Jack Hetherington and Reed Mahoney clash

The NRL will investigate an incident involving Jack Hetherington and Reed Mahoney after both were sent to the sin bin the dying stages of the Bulldogs’ thumping of the Knights. WATCH HERE

Jack Hetherington and Reed Mahoney were both sin binned. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The NRL match review committee are set to investigate a tunnel altercation between Newcastle firebrand Jack Hetherington and Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney as the Bulldogs’ big win on Sunday afternoon ended with an explosive showdown at Accor Stadium.

Hetherington, having been was sent to the sin-bin with only minutes remaining in the lopsided encounter between the sides, emerged from the Newcastle dressing sheds to confront Mahoney as he made his way down the tunnel.

The Bulldogs star had also been given an early shower by referee Peter Gough. Footage appeared to show Hetherington shaping up to Mahoney before shoving the Bulldogs hooker. Fortunately, Bulldogs officials including Luke Goodwin stepped in to stop the incident escalating.

The NRL has been made aware of the incident and officials confirmed it would be reviewed by the match review committee to decide whether there had been a contrary conduct breach.

Hetherington off the rails...#nrlbulldogsknightspic.twitter.com/8BKTv41mxf

— Big Dog 1935 (@CBB1934) April 21, 2024

Both players were tight-lipped after the game, but Mahoney made no apologies for standing up to Hetherington when asked about his sin-binning.

“I am not going to hold back mate,” Mahoney said.

Asked about receiving a standing ovation as he left the field, Mahoney said: “I didn’t really know what to do with myself - head down and walked down the tunnel.”

Mind you, that was when the real drama began. Hetherington and the Knights were already on tilt after being on the end of a thrashing and losing their talismanic captain Kalyn Ponga, who declined to comment as he left the ground in a moon boot after suffering a foot injury in the first half.

Ponga will have scans on Monday morning, although coach Adam O’Brien painted a gloomy picture as he spoke about fears of a “rare” injury involving damage to a ligament on the bottom of the foot.

O’Brien said he was unaware of the incident involving Hetherington and Mahoney when he fronted the media after the game, although Knights officials privately suggested that Hetherington was playing a “prank”.

Jack Hetherington and Reed Mahoney were both sin binned. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I don’t know what they both got sin binned for,” O’Brien said.

“Was it for carrying on verbally? It is just another example of us playing frustrated at the moment.”

The NRL will have the final say as they conduct their own inquiries.

“I have heard some stuff in there,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said.

“I don’t think it is too serious. Jack is a good fella - I have known Jack for a long time. He is a good guy.

“Sometimes he gets emotional but he is a genuine good person. I don’t think there was much in it. It is done now.”

Mahoney had been one of the stars of the Bulldogs’ big win at Accor Stadium with a typically spiky performance as his side ran riot before a crowd of more than 17,000.

The Canterbury rake has an ability to get under the skin of his opponents and Hetherington was his target in the dying embers on Sunday afternoon.

Jack Hetherington shapes up to Reed Mahoney. Picture: Fox League

Hetherington, a noted firebrand, couldn’t help himself and reacted, prompting the pair to engage in a push and shove on the field. Gough, seemingly in an attempt to settle down the situation, sent them separately to the sin-bin.

As Hetherington made his way off the field, Mahoney waved to the Knights forward. Then it was his turn to be sent for a spell in the sin-bin.

It is understood Hetherington saw footage of Mahoney leaving the field while sitting in the Newcastle dressing sheds and emerged to confront Mahoney at the entrance to the Bulldogs sheds.

Fortunately, Bulldogs officials were on hand to defuse the situation before it escalated into something more serious.

MATCH REPORT: BULLDOGS V KNIGHTS

Kalyn Ponga didn’t see out the match, but it mattered little as Canterbury put its season back on track with a six-tries-to-two mauling of a lacklustre Newcastle before 17,784 vocal fans at Accor Stadium.

Less than 12 months ago Newcastle put 66 unanswered points past a hapless Canterbury. But despite a slow start to the season, coach Cameron Ciraldo has already given fans hope of a bright future, and it was there in spades during a commanding 36-12 victory.

Sam Hughes crashed over for a perfect start, then with 68 per cent of possession, Canterbury spent the open 20 minutes camped in Newcastle territory.

Matt Burton tormented the Knights’ back three with an array of kicks, and following a third drop-out, new fullback Connor Tracey combined with Jacob Kiraz to give Canterbury a 12-0 lead.

Tyson Gamble provided Newcastle’s only joy of the opening half. A late call up to replace Jack Cogger, the playmaker put prop Dylan Lucas across, but it was quickly counted by Bronson Xerri who made it 18-6 at the break.

It was all Canterbury in the second half. With renewed steel they dominated territory and worked plays either side of the ruck on route to a comfortable.

Next week Canterbury have the bye before taking on the Tigers, while Newcastle’s tough run continues away to the Dolphins.

Kalyn Ponga didn't finish the game. Picture: NRL Photos

PONGA ON ONE LEG

It proved a day to forget for Kalyn Ponga. After suffering a hip injury in last week’s narrow loss to the Roosters, the Maroons’ hopeful was clearly hampered until being substituted in the 53rd minute.

Under a constant barrage of pinpoint kicks, the star No.1 spent the afternoon on the backfoot. And he was caught with his pants down after the break while wishing the ball over the dead-ball line, only to see Bailey Hayward pounce to score Canterbury’s fourth try.

DROUGHT-BREAKERS

It’s been a long road back to the top for Bronson Xerri, but the former Sharks centre had plenty to cheer about in the 34th minute. After coming close to powering over the line in a strong opening, the No.3 eventually got over the stripe, saluting his first four-pointer in five years.

In just his second game, Hayward’s try was his first in the NRL in just his second outing. A genuine livewire, the playmaker is one of many local juniors on the rise.

Bronson Xerri scored his first try for the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Photos

REMEMBER ME

Murmurings of Josh Addo-Carr’s Origin demise persist, but the flying winger showed enough to keep Blues coach Michael Maguire interested.

His spectacular one handed put down extended Canterbury’s lead to 28-6, and was his 22nd in 23 games at the Olympic Stadium.

PATOLO INJURY

Rising Bulldogs prop Chris Patolo faces an extended stint on the sidelines after heading up the tunnel following the early exchanges.

The 22-year-old local junior twisted a knee, and club officials said they won’t know the extent of the damage until he goes for scans.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 36 defeat Newcastle Knights, Jack Hetherington and Reed Mahoney clash