‘I left Bulldogs in better place’: Mahoney puts Canterbury exit behind him

Cowboys hooker Reed Mahoney says there was “no malice” in a Las Vegas nightclub incident with an ex-Bulldogs teammate, maintaining he has great respect for his former club following his controversial exit.

The 28-year-old laid on two tries in North Queensland’s 28-12 defeat of Canterbury on Friday night in what was his first clash against the Bulldogs since he was dropped last season and released with a year remaining on his contract.

He did not leave on the best of terms but after helping condemn Cameron Ciraldo’s team to a third consecutive defeat, he said he had put his disappointment about being discarded behind him.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for that club. They did a lot for me thought the years. They’re going through a bit of a tough time at the moment but I know how hard the boys work and they’ll get out of it,” he said.

“It was a big move for me to go there at the time [from Parramatta]. I learnt a lot about myself during those three years. I’m a proud person and when I walk into a joint, I do anything to a make the place better. I felt like from when I walked in the place to when I walked out I left the place in a better position.

“It probably wasn’t the end that I wanted but that’s rugby league and I’ve moved on and become better for it.”

Mahoney’s relegation to the bench at Belmore and eventual split with the club has continued to reverberate this season.

It was revealed in March that Canterbury players were unimpressed by comments reportedly directed by Mahoney towards Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya in the hours after this year’s Las Vegas double header.

Montoya didn’t play at Accor Stadium after being dumped to reserve grade.

“Whatever happened, happened,” Mahoney said of the nightclub incident in Las Vegas. “There was no malice in it. I wish him all the best.”

He said Cowboys coach Todd Payten had given him licence to rev himself up for Friday’s grudge match.

He set up tries for fullback Scott Drinkwater and five-eighth Jake Clifford at Accor Stadium as the visitors further embedded themselves in the top eight.

“[Payten] asked me how I was feeling about the game and I said ‘mate, it’s just another game’ and he turned around and said ‘no it’s not’,” Mahoney said.

“That kind of made me feel better. I just thought ‘maybe it isn’t and I’ve just got to go after it’.”

Off-contract Payten is yet to be re-signed by the Cowboys, who have won six of their past seven games after losing their first two.

It’s clear he has the full backing of Mahoney.

“Toddy has been great, ever since I’ve been here,” he said. “Even when I was going through a little bit at the old club last year he was sending me messages to keep my head up and all that.

“He’s a great guy, he’s a great family man. The boys really enjoy his company. The results are showing of why the team loves him. I really enjoy playing for him.”