Reunion Tensions Rise for Cowboys and Bulldogs After Vegas Clash — Nrl Today
Players, staff and supporters of the Cowboys and Bulldogs now face heightened reunion tensions after a Las Vegas nightclub encounter that has unsettled Canterbury’s playing group. Sunday at 11: 00 p. m. ET, Reed Mahoney was involved in a nightclub confrontation in Las Vegas that clubs say has become an internal issue for the Bulldogs.
Immediate fallout inside Canterbury: ‘open secret’ and silence from powerbrokers
Canterbury officials were reportedly briefed about the episode and the club now regards the incident as an “open secret” inside the playing group; the Bulldogs have opted not to comment publicly. That internal handling by Canterbury powerbrokers signals the matter is being treated as a disciplinary and reputational concern within the club.
Nrl Today: What Mahoney said to Marcelo Montoya and the squad’s reaction
Reed Mahoney came face to face with his former Bulldogs teammates in a Las Vegas nightclub after the weekend’s games and made comments to winger Marcelo Montoya that angered Montoya and a majority of the playing group. Club sources describe the remarks as the flashpoint that provoked widespread ire among the Canterbury squad.
Separate Las Vegas tensions involving Trey Mooney and the NRL’s position
Separately, Knights enforcer Trey Mooney was reportedly poised to confront the Dragons and captain Clint Gutherson prior to the Las Vegas fixtures, and Dragons security stepped in to keep Mooney from reaching the squad; it remains unclear why the prop became angered. The NRL says it has no concerns about the nightclub matters because no physical confrontations took place.
Mahoney, who joined the Cowboys ahead of the 2026 season, had been demoted to the bench under Cameron Ciraldo last year in favour of Bailey Hayward and was given permission to leave Canterbury in 2025 despite having another year on his contract. He had also been replaced as captain by Stephen Crichton in years prior, and when asked why he was released he told the SMH, “If you find out, tell me. I’m not sure. Everyone has their own opinion. I won’t say too much. “
Still, clubs and fans now face a more charged environment for any future matchups and reunions between Mahoney and his former Bulldogs teammates. The Las Vegas incidents have placed personal tensions squarely in the open within Canterbury and created a new subplot for the Cowboys’ and Bulldogs’ interactions on and off the field.
If the reported tensions persist, they could affect on-field reunions and player interactions by the start of the 2026 season; the 2026 season is the next confirmed milestone for Mahoney and his former teammates. If current attitudes hold, teams may confront heightened scrutiny over player conduct and security at future fixtures before the 2026 campaign begins.
