'Our identity': Bulldogs defend Reed Mahoney's antics despite latest incident
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton won't be telling teammate Reed Mahoney to reel in his polarising antics, instead backing the hooker to continue his fiery on-field efforts.
Mahoney came under fire yet again in round four after launching himself at a prone Daniel Atkinson, which saw the Canterbury star placed on report.
The 26-year-old was charged by the match review committee, but managed to escape with $1800 fines for two separate incidents in the win over Cronulla.
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It has led to plenty of backlash in the days that followed the game, but Crichton didn't seem too fazed when quizzed by Nine's Danny Weider about the cheeky dummy-half and whether he needed to change his ways to avoid being penalised.
Reed Mahoney is ragdolled after his high shot. Fox League
"Nah, not really," the skipper said.
"Reed is at the point of his career where he knows what his best game looks like.
"I feel like that edge that we have right now, sticking it to other teams, is very special.
"In the past we have definitely let that stuff slide and it's good to see the boys sticking up for themselves."
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Cameron Ciraldo backed Mahoney's approach and explained the important role he's played in the club's rebuild since joining in 2023.
"Reed has been at the forefront of us building our identity over the last couple of years," the coach said.
"We've worked really hard on building a work ethic, connection and competitiveness and Reed's at the forefront of that."
The other player from Canterbury to land in hot water was the in-form Sitili Tupouniua, who copped a one-week suspension for a shot on Braydon Trindall.
Sitili Tupouniua was sin binned after the final siren. Fox League
Ciraldo admitted there were serious question marks over the charge.
"I didn't think it was high, I didn't think it was that late and I didn't think it was a shoulder charge," he said.
"Trying to explain to Sitili how he could be better next time was tough."
The undefeated Bulldogs will take on the Newcastle Knights in round five.
