Reporter Dean Ritchie said he would pick Reed Mahoney over Bailey Hayward in an NRL 360 debate over the Bulldogs hooker position on Tuesday night.
Hayward has been named to start at hooker for the Bulldogs’ clash with the Roosters on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, with Mahoney named on the bench.
It comes after the Bulldogs made a late change for their 32-14 win over the Warriors, promoting Hayward to the starting side at hooker, at the expense of Mahoney who went back to the bench.
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Mahoney had just 16 minutes of game time against the Warriors.
But The Daily Telegraph journalist said, with the finals approaching, he would pick Mahoney above Hayward in the starting side.
“I’d have Reed Mahoney there in a semi-final any day,” Ritchie said.
“What I’m saying to you is if I was picking a side for a semi-final, I’d want him in there.”
Host Braith Anasta interjected, and questioned Ritchie further.
“In front of Bailey?” Anasta asked.
“I’d have him ahead of Bailey,” Ritchie replied.
But Anasta said Hayward may surprise people over the final four rounds of the regular season.
“You’re not going to know what’s going to happen in the next month,” Anasta said.
“He (Hayward) could play like Harry Grant.”
Ritchie felt that Mahoney’s toughness was important for finals games.
Mahoney helped the Eels reach a grand final in 2022.
“He’s tough, he’s gritty, he gets in your face. He’s a finals player,” Ritchie said of Mahoney.
“It’s nothing against Bailey Hayward. Clearly he’s a very, very good player.”
Anasta interjected again.
“But you’re saying Reed’s better than Bailey?” Anasta asked.
“In a semi-final, I would have Reed Mahoney in there any day of the week,” Ritchie responded.
“His playing style. It’s that gnarly style which gets in your face.”
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Reporter Paul Crawley said he felt sympathy for Mahoney.
“I think from an emotional point of view, when you saw Reed standing on the sideline the other day, and waiting to get on the field, you can’t help but feel emotion for him,” Crawley added.
“Because he’s given so much and he sometimes pushes it too far and maybe that has been a part of his downfall.”
Anasta said he is glad the Bulldogs have still found a spot for Mahoney in their 17, even if it is off the bench.
“My thing with Reed is he deserves to be in that squad and they need to keep him in there because he has been a part of that change, that DNA, that hard work,” Anasta said.
“And he’s helped them climb the ladder again. I think, as long as he’s in the squad, I’m happy.
“Because he can have an impact off the bench.”
