Bulldogs stand by Mahoney over Atkinson incident in NRL Round 4

Reed Mahoney has copped plenty of flack since his cheap shot on Cronulla’s Daniel Atkinson in Round 4 of the 2025 NRL season, but the Canterbury Bulldogs are refusing to apologise for the hooker’s actions.

Mahoney dove onto Atkinson while the Sharks prop was already on the ground having gathered a charged-down kick in the second half of Saturday night’s game.

Mahoney escaped on-field punishment for the tackle — which appeared to be high and without arms — though he later received $1,800 in fines from the match review committee.

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When asked about the incident, both the Bulldogs’ head coach Cameron Ciraldo and captain Stephen Crichton backed their man.

“Reed has been at the forefront of us building our identity over the last couple of years,” Ciraldo said.

“We’ve worked really hard on building a work ethic, connection and competitiveness and Reed’s at the forefront of that.”

“Reed is at the point of his career where he knows what his best game looks like,” Crichton added.

“I feel like that edge that we have right now, sticking it to other teams, is very special.

“In the past we have definitely let that stuff slide and it’s good to see the boys sticking up for themselves.”

Mahoney’s shot was not the only controversy in the Bulldogs v Sharks match, with Canterbury forward Sitili Tupouniua receiving a one-week suspension for his challenge on Braydon Trindall.

Crichton also backed Tupouniua, saying he saw no issue with the clash.

“I didn’t think it was high, I didn’t think it was that late and I didn’t think it was a shoulder charge,” he said.

“Trying to explain to Sitili how he could be better next time was tough.”

Despite the incidents, the Bulldogs bagged their fourth win of the season, taking them to the top of the NRL ladder a month into the season.

Rugby league betting sites are still sceptical of their title chances in 2025, however, pricing Canterbury on the fifth line of outright betting at $11.

The Melbourne Storm ($3), Brisbane Broncos ($5), Penrith Panthers ($7) and Cronulla Sharks ($10) all sit ahead of the Bulldogs at NRL bookmakers.

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