Departing Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney feels he “let the boys down” after injury sidelined him for last year’s epic finals loss to Penrith.
When Mahoney suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against South Sydney while tackling Latrell Mitchell in round 22 last year, most pundits felt the blow also effectively ended the Eels’ premiership campaign.
Without a recognised dummy half replacement, Ray Stone was pitched into the No.9 jersey. Stone did a commendable job in the 8-6 loss to the Panthers, making 42 tackles, as well as some crucial mistakes that prompted some to wonder whether the result would have been different had Mahoney been available.
The Eels have an opportunity to avenge that loss and break a 36-year premiership drought in the process. For Mahoney, it is also a chance to atone before he leaves the club to join Canterbury next season.
“It was hard to watch last year,” Mahoney said.
“I was in a sling, I was just being operated on. I feel I really let the boys down. To see their passion and how much it hurt losing that game and I couldn’t be a part of it, I couldn’t help in any way.
Reed Mahoney wants to leave the Eels on a high.Credit:Getty
“This year we’ve got no excuses. I’m there now and really looking forward to it. That was 12 months ago, I’m here now and looking forward to it.”
Mahoney won’t be the only Eel leaving after the decider. Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Oregon Kaufusi, Tom Opacic and Stone will also depart, while former Blues forward Nathan Brown – picked for the grand final having being overlooked for NRL duties for 12 weeks – is expected to follow suit despite being contracted for 2022.
The Parramatta-Penrith rivalry has reached new heights after a series of classic encounters, enhanced by the presence of former Panthers Regan Campbell-Gillard, Waqa Blake, Maika Sivo and Bryce Cartwright in the Eels side. Former Panthers assistant Trent Barrett and forward J’Maine Hopgood will also join the blue and golds next year, while NSW back-rower Liam Martin is also a target.
“We’ve got a few ex-Penrith boys the last few years, there’s four or five of them,” Mahoney said.
The Eels-Panthers rivalry has intensified in recent seasons.Credit:NRL Photos
“You want them there, we’ve adopted them and brought them in. I’m sure they are not really thinking about it, but that’s where they come from, that’s where it started.
“They’ve come across and they are here now.
“We’ve beaten them a couple of times, they’ve beaten us a couple of times over the past few years. That’s all out the window; on grand final day, anything can happen. They are a good side, don’t get me wrong, but so are we.
“It will be a really great contest, it’s going to be physical and fast. We know what they will throw at us, we can’t wait.
“We’re only 12 kilometres down the road, there’s no better feeling [than beating them].”
Asked what it would mean to be part of a premiership-winning side, Mahoney said: “Thinking about it gives me goosebumps. I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself. If you asked anyone, I don’t think they’d have an answer to that.
“It’s about the boys around me, doing it with them. What my mate next to me is going to feel, that’s what I want to feel. It’s got different meanings to everyone, but a lot of it is family.
“Individually, there’s no better feeling than winning a grand final. I just want to win it and see what happens.”
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