Reed Mahoney still doesn’t fully understand why his old club let him go, and that unanswered question has fueled one of the most talked-about moves in rugby league. The North Queensland Cowboys confirmed they had signed the hooker through the 2028 season on July 6, 2025, and the rugby league world has been tracking the details ever since.
Current club: North Queensland Cowboys ·
Previous club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ·
Position: Hooker ·
Born: 22 April 1998 ·
NRL debut: 2019 ·
Contract status: Signed with Cowboys through 2028
Quick snapshot
- Mahoney has agreed to join the North Queensland Cowboys (North Queensland Cowboys)
- His contract runs through the 2028 season (North Queensland Cowboys)
- He plays as a hooker (Cowboys team profile)
- Exact salary figures are not publicly confirmed (Zero Tackle profile)
- Mahoney’s marital status is not officially documented (Zero Tackle profile)
- No confirmed ADHD diagnosis has been reported (Zero Tackle profile)
- July 2025: Bulldogs confirm Mahoney will depart at the end of 2025 (Zero Tackle)
- July 2025: Cowboys announce signing for the 2026 season (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Mahoney will debut for the Cowboys in the 2026 NRL season (North Queensland Cowboys)
- He aims to prove he can play 80 minutes each match (Fox League interview)
Mahoney’s current deal and role break down into four clear points.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current team | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Position | Hooker |
| Contract end | 2028 season |
| Previous team | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
Where is Reed Mahoney going?
Mahoney chose North Queensland over other reported interest, and the Cowboys locked him in for three seasons from 2026. The move signals a deliberate rebuild around an experienced dummy-half.
Reed Mahoney’s move to North Queensland Cowboys
- Mahoney signed with the North Queensland Cowboys on July 6, 2025 (North Queensland Cowboys official announcement)
- He will join the club for the 2026 NRL season after being granted an early release from Canterbury (Zero Tackle)
- The move was first reported in early July 2025, with both clubs confirming by July 6 (Fox NRL on Facebook)
After several seasons in Canterbury’s system, Mahoney’s decision to head north signals a fresh chapter. The Cowboys, who struggled in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, have invested in his services as a key part of their spine rebuild.
Contract details and timeline
- Mahoney’s contract runs through at least the end of the 2028 season (North Queensland Cowboys)
- The Bulldogs confirmed he would depart at the end of 2025, giving him a full off-season to transition (Zero Tackle)
- Reports from November 2025 describe Mahoney explaining his reasons for leaving Canterbury and his excitement to head north (YouTube interview)
The timeline is tight: Mahoney finished 2025 at the Bulldogs, then moved to Townsville pre-season. For a player who says he still doesn’t know why he was let go, the speed of the deal suggests both sides were ready for a change.
The pattern: Mahoney’s move is not just a transfer; it’s a statement that the Cowboys are building around an experienced dummy-half who wants to prove he can handle the full 80 minutes.
Why did Reed Mahoney leave the Bulldogs?
The Bulldogs’ decision to release Mahoney
- Canterbury confirmed in July 2025 that Mahoney would not be retained beyond the season (Zero Tackle)
- The release was framed as an early exit from his existing contract, allowing him to join the Cowboys in 2026 (DogFather Media)
- Some social coverage described the departure as part of a broader Bulldogs spine exodus (Fox NRL Facebook)
Mahoney’s response and self-assessment
- Mahoney has said publicly that he still does not understand why he was let go (Sport Nation NZ)
- He averaged around 60 minutes per game in his final year at Canterbury (Zero Tackle stats)
- His stated goal is to become an 80-minute player, a benchmark he has not yet consistently reached (Fox League interview)
What this means: Mahoney feels he has unfinished business on the field. The Bulldogs’ decision – whatever the internal reasoning – has given him extra motivation heading into the 2026 season.
How much does Reed Mahoney earn?
Reed Mahoney’s salary with the Cowboys
- No official salary has been disclosed by the Cowboys or the NRL (NRL.com Signings Tracker)
- Zero Tackle lists his profile without a reported salary figure (Zero Tackle player profile)
- Speculation in fan forums and social media suggests a figure, but no reliable source has confirmed it (Instagram post reference)
Comparison to other NRL hookers
- Top hookers in the NRL are reported to earn between $500,000 and $800,000 annually, depending on experience and club cap space (NRL.com Signings Tracker)
- Mahoney’s experience as a starting hooker for several seasons would place him in the mid-range for his position (Cowboys team profile)
- For context, players in other sports – such as AFL star Patrick Dangerfield – have publicly known salary figures that dwarf typical NRL contracts
The trade-off: Without official confirmation, any salary figure is guesswork. For now, the most reliable statement is that Mahoney signed a multi-year deal that makes him a key Cowboys asset.
Why does Reed Mahoney wear headgear?
Headgear as a personal choice
- Mahoney has been wearing headgear since his debut in 2019, as seen in all official team images (Cowboys team profile)
- He has not publicly detailed a specific medical reason for wearing headgear (Sport Nation NZ)
Medical or protective reasons
- Many NRL forwards and hookers choose headgear for protection against cuts and friction, though Mahoney has not confirmed that as his reason (Zero Tackle profile)
- He continues to wear it in every match, including pre-season and regular season games (Cowboys announcement image)
The implication: Without a direct statement, the headgear appears to be a personal comfort choice rather than a requirement. It has become part of his on-field identity.
Is Reed Mahoney married?
Reed Mahoney’s personal life
- Mahoney’s official team biography on the Cowboys website does not mention a spouse or partner (Cowboys profile)
- No mainstream media reports have confirmed a marriage or engagement (Zero Tackle profile)
Partner information
- Search queries for “Reed Mahoney partner” return no verified sources (Zero Tackle)
- He maintains a relatively private personal life compared to some NRL peers (Instagram reference)
The catch: For a player of his profile, the lack of public relationship information is notable. It suggests he keeps his off-field life separate from his rugby career.
Which NRL player has ADHD?
ADHD in NRL
- There is no confirmed information that Reed Mahoney has an ADHD diagnosis (Zero Tackle profile)
- Public searches often link Mahoney to ADHD due to his headgear and high-energy playing style, but no medical evidence supports this (Sport Nation NZ)
Reed Mahoney’s awareness work
- Mahoney has been involved with community work, though specific details of his ambassador roles are not widely documented in mainstream sources (Cowboys profile)
- His focus on the field remains on his performance, not on any health-related public advocacy (Fox League interview)
Why this matters: The ADHD question reflects broader curiosity about athletes’ mental health. For Mahoney, the answer is simply that no credible source has linked him to the condition.
Reed Mahoney’s career timeline
- 1998: Born in Australia (Cowboys profile)
- 2019: NRL debut with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (Zero Tackle)
- July 2025: Bulldogs confirm Mahoney will depart; Cowboys announce signing (Cowboys; Zero Tackle)
- 2026: Joins North Queensland Cowboys officially (Sport Nation NZ)
The signal: Mahoney’s move from Canterbury to North Queensland happened rapidly once the decision was made. The timeline shows a clean break and a quick new start.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Signed with Cowboys for 2026 season (Cowboys)
- Plays hooker (Cowboys profile)
- Contract through 2028 (Cowboys)
- Departed Bulldogs at end of 2025 (Zero Tackle)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures
- Marital status
- ADHD diagnosis status
- Reason for headgear choice
Quotes from key figures
“I still don’t understand why I was let go.”
Reed Mahoney, as reported by Sport Nation NZ
“We are delighted to confirm Reed Mahoney has signed with the club.”
North Queensland Cowboys, official announcement
“I want to prove I can be an 80-minute player.”
Reed Mahoney, in an interview with Fox League
For Mahoney, the conclusion is straightforward: he needs to show the Cowboys he can deliver week-in, week-out as an 80-minute hooker. If he does, the decision to leave Canterbury will look like the best move of his career. If he doesn’t, questions about his durability will follow him north. For the NRL fans watching, the 2026 season just got a lot more interesting.
Related reading: **Patrick Dangerfield 2025: Injury, Salary, and Career Update** · **KL Rahul Diagnosed: Surgery, Salary & Personal Life**
Frequently asked questions
When did Reed Mahoney join the Cowboys?
Mahoney signed with North Queensland on July 6, 2025, and will join the club for the 2026 NRL season (Cowboys).
Why does Reed Mahoney wear headgear?
He has worn headgear since his debut. No specific medical reason has been made public (Cowboys profile).
Is Reed Mahoney the highest paid NRL player?
No. His salary has not been disclosed, but top NRL hookers earn in the range of $500,000–$800,000 per year (NRL.com).
Does Reed Mahoney have ADHD?
There is no confirmed diagnosis. Online speculation is not supported by any reliable source (Zero Tackle).
What position does Reed Mahoney play?
He plays hooker (dummy-half) (Cowboys profile).
How tall is Reed Mahoney?
His height is not officially listed, but he is described as a typical hooker build (Zero Tackle).
Is Reed Mahoney married?
There is no public confirmation of marriage or a long-term partner (Cowboys profile).



