Parramatta Eels hooker Reed Mahoney on right track for Maroons jersey

If classy Parramatta Eels hooker Reed Mahoney can continue to produce near-flawless performances like he did during his team’s 32-28 win NRL over Gold Coast at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, it won’t be long before he’s wearing a Queensland jersey.

That was the opinion of Eels head coach Brad Arthur after the 23-year-old was instrumental in his team’s victory, following a highly-entertaining afternoon of attacking rugby league in Sydney’s west.

Mahoney – sorely missed at Parramatta last season after injuring his shoulder for the second time in August – appears to have few, if any, weaknesses in his game now.

Those all-round skills were on show against the Titans, with his vision and precision passing game from dummy-half crucial in three Eels tries.

If controlling the game from the centre of the park was not enough, he also produced a 40-20 much to the delight of legend Greg Alexander in commentary.

Arthur likes to keep things low key when praising his players, but he was delighted with Mahoney’s showing in his first game back from last year’s shoulder injury.

Without revealing too much, the respected Eels mentor believes Mahoney is ready to represent his state at Origin level this year.

“Reedy works really hard. And everything he’s got out of footy he’s earned,” he told BettingSite.com.au.

“He’ll continue to work hard and his best footy is still ahead of him.

“As long as the team’s playing well that’ll help him.”

Mahoney – a favourite among his fans and who always has time for them in return – spoke with typical humility about his 40-20 kick, as well as his chances of playing for the Maroons this year.

Despite the fact the Dragons’ Ben Hunt and Melbourne’s Harry Grant have been matchwinners at hooker for Queensland in recent years, you also cannot discount the ever-consistent Mahoney’s chances of playing in that position soon.

“The opportunity was there to kick (the 40-20) and I got the right bounce,” he said.

“It (representative football) will come if I keep playing good footy. I’ve still got 12 weeks to go until Origin I (in Sydney on June 8), so I’ll worry about that then.”

Parramatta is on the fourth line of NRL betting to win this year’s competition, at $9 with the best sports betting sites, and its chances will only increase if Mahoney can stay injury-free in 2022.

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