There's been plenty said about the recruitment drive from the Bulldogs in the off-season, and nobody is going to have a greater impact on the side than hooker Reed Mahoney.
The 24-year-old joins the club on a long-term deal from old rivals Parramatta, who he helped to a grand final appearance in 2022, and will bring plenty of class and big-game experience to Canterbury.
Mahoney has already made a significant impact at the Dogs, with the club appointing him as their on-field co-captain alongside star playmaker Matt Burton for the upcoming campaign.
With over 100 NRL games to date and his best football still ahead of him, Mahoney will be tasked with rejuvenating a stagnant Bulldogs attack and helping them back to the finals.
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Speaking to The Sporting News at the recent Fox League season launch, former Canterbury hooker Michael Ennis was full of praise for the No.9 and believes he is a long-term star for the club.
“I thought Reed Mahoney certainly made a difference at Canterbury [in the trials]," he said.
“I think he’s got so much growth in him. He’s a great competitor and he’s proven over the last couple of years how dynamic he can be around the ruck.
"He’s really starting to back himself with his creativity and that’s something that the Dogs have probably lacked over the past couple of years. Just seeing that combination with Kyle Flanagan, Josh Reynolds and Matt Burton is exciting for them.
"They are still going to be a work in progress, but he’s a long-term prospect for them and I think he is someone that can really accelerate at No.9 and be a real dominant No.9 over the next couple of years in the competition.
"It has been a big pick-up for Canterbury, that’s for sure."
Mahoney isn't the only big name to arrive at Belmore in the off-season, with the likes of Viliame Kikau and Ryan Sutton also signing on, while head coach Cameron Ciraldo arrives with plenty of expectations.
But it will be Mahoney that should become the focal point of their attack according to Fox League expert Matty Johns, who believes the Bulldogs can push for a top-eight berth in 2023.
"I don’t know about playing finals football, but I think just on the cusp," he told The Sporting News.
"With the Dogs, Ciraldo is a really good coach and they’ve recruited well and the more they play with Mahoney, the more they will understand getting him to be the focal point of their attack."
Canterbury will face a tough assignment in the opening round against Manly, before a return to their spiritual home at Belmore Oval the following weekend against the Tigers.
With so much hype surrounding the club with the additions on and off the field, Ennis is tipping them for a return to September football, but knows any potential success will rely on keeping their big guns fit and firing.
“I’ll go with Canterbury – I think they can really build," he said.
"If they can get their stars firing that they’ve recruited, along with some of the guys they have already got there, I reckon the Dogs can slip into the lower-half of the eight.
“The challenge for Canterbury is going to be depth. They need to keep Kikau, Mahoney, Burton, Addo-Carr and those type of guys on the park – they can’t afford to get injuries in those key positions.
"If they can do that – I think they will press for that lower-half of the eight. If they don’t, I think they are still 18 months away from really starting to climb the ladder."
Fox League is available to watch on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
