Mahoney Stakes Origin Claim as Bulldogs Run Over Raiders

Rather than talk up his own Origin chances Reed Mahoney preferred to heap praise on inspirational captain Stephen Crichton after the star centre inspired the Bulldogs to a stunning comeback in Canberra.

Trailing 20-0 in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with the Raiders in front of Canberra’s biggest regular season crowd for 30 years, the Bulldogs ran in six unanswered tries in the second term to win 32-20.

Crichton was the star, running for 161 metres, breaking four tackles and setting up two tries as he tormented the Raiders' left edge defence.

The 20-point turnaround equalled the Dogs' 2001 revival against the Northern Eagles, where they trailed 20-0 after 23 minutes in Gosford and went on to win 32-30.

“That is probably the best half I have seen him play," said Mahoney, who made 60 tackles at GIO Stadium and orchestrated countless attacks out of dummy half.

He honestly just said, ‘I’m the captain, boys, jump on my shoulders because I’ll take ya’

“He did that, and everyone followed. It was a great skipper’s performance”.

After their early struggles against a near perfect Raiders outfit, coach Cameron Ciraldo couldn’t wait to get the Bulldogs into the sheds and the half-time break proved to be a turning point.

“He’s not a sprayer, but he definitely has it in him,” Mahoney said of Ciraldo.

“You know when he is not happy. But today, he just gave us belief.

He pulled the middles together, and the halves, and gave us a bit of a rocket. But yeah, it was all for the better.

“It is probably one of the best comebacks that I have been a part of in my career so far.”

Mahoney’s own form has him firmly in the frame for Queensland selection following the loss of Ben Hunt with a torn hamstring and doubts over the fitness of Harry Grant, who is also sidelined by a hamstring injury.

The Bulldogs hooker was in the extended Maroons squad of 20 players for last year's series decider at Suncorp Stadium but is yet to make his Origin debut. 

“I have been in this position many times before and the best thing that I can do, and control, is just prepping well during the week and playing good footy on the weekend,” Mahoney told NRL.com.

“I think I am being really consistent and if that opportunity comes … I have been in this position before and I haven’t got the bounce of the ball, but I’ll keep working hard and see what happens.”

Despite the Bulldogs maintaining their position at the top of the NRL ladder after eight wins and a bye in the opening 10 rounds, Mahoney made it clear he doesn’t want to have to come from that far behind again.

“Throughout the year we have won from in front, we’ve sort of come from behind a little bit, but to be 20-0 down; that shows a lot about the group, the character of the team," he said.

"I’m really proud of the boys to be able to do that especially against the Raiders.

"I think they have been the best team all year; they are tough, they are resilient, so it was really pleasing. But I don't want to be in that position again."