Reporter Dean Ritchie said he would pick Reed Mahoney over Bailey Hayward in an NRL 360 debate over the Bulldogs hooker position on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
Hayward has been named to start at hooker for the Bulldogs\u2019 clash with the Roosters on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, with Mahoney named on the bench.<\/p>\n
It comes after the Bulldogs made a late change for their 32-14 win over the Warriors, promoting Hayward to the starting side at hooker, at the expense of Mahoney who went back to the bench.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n Mahoney had just 16 minutes of game time against the Warriors.<\/p>\n But The Daily Telegraph journalist said, with the finals approaching, he would pick Mahoney above Hayward in the starting side.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d have Reed Mahoney there in a semi-final any day,\u201d Ritchie said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I\u2019m saying to you is if I was picking a side for a semi-final, I\u2019d want him in there.\u201d<\/p>\n Host Braith Anasta interjected, and questioned Ritchie further.<\/p>\n \u201cIn front of Bailey?\u201d Anasta asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d have him ahead of Bailey,\u201d Ritchie replied.<\/p>\n But Anasta said Hayward may surprise people over the final four rounds of the regular season.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not going to know what\u2019s going to happen in the next month,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe (Hayward) could play like Harry Grant.\u201d<\/p>\n Ritchie felt that Mahoney\u2019s toughness was important for finals games.<\/p>\n Mahoney helped the Eels reach a grand final in 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s tough, he\u2019s gritty, he gets in your face. He\u2019s a finals player,\u201d Ritchie said of Mahoney.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing against Bailey Hayward. Clearly he\u2019s a very, very good player.\u201d<\/p>\n Anasta interjected again.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re saying Reed\u2019s better than Bailey?\u201d Anasta asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a semi-final, I would have Reed Mahoney in there any day of the week,\u201d Ritchie responded.<\/p>\n \u201cHis playing style. It\u2019s that gnarly style which gets in your face.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n TALKING POINTS: \u2018Huge risk\u2019 Broncos\u2019 move; \u2018ridiculous\u2019 Dogs act as hoax exposed<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Madge\u2019s solution to halves crisis; Ciraldo reveal after Dogs axing<\/a><\/p>\n