Canterbury’s roster shake-up has continued, with hooker Reed Mahoney set to follow Toby Sexton out of the club after securing a deal with North Queensland for 2026.
Although Mahoney is still contracted through next season, his management recently requested permission from the Bulldogs to explore other opportunities. The Cowboys, in need of a hooker with Reece Robson heading to the Roosters in 2026, have secured Mahoney’s services after previously missing out on Tallyn Da Silva, who opted to join Parramatta following his mid-season departure from the Tigers.
According to Fox Sports, Mahoney informed the Bulldogs of his decision to sign a three-year deal with the Cowboys following their 22-18 loss to the Broncos on Friday night.
The arrival of Lachlan Galvin from the Tigers mid-season had already led to Sexton’s exit, with the playmaker signing with French club Catalans Dragons for the 2026 season. Galvin and Sexton partnered in the halves against Brisbane, pushing Matt Burton to the centres — a move that backfired as the Bulldogs surrendered an 18-point lead.
There had been speculation Sexton might transition into the hooker role, but with both he and Mahoney now on their way out, utility Bailey Hayward is emerging as the likely long-term dummy-half for Canterbury.
Mahoney, a fringe Queensland Maroons selection, has played 165 NRL games since debuting with Parramatta in 2018, with 64 of those appearances coming for the Bulldogs since his move three years ago.
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