Reed Mahoney Dropping Drama & Taylan May’s Tactical Pay Rise
In this episode of Kenty Blitz, the boys dive into the shock rumors surrounding the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs lineup, the contract chess games at Wests Tigers, and the fallout of Latrell Mitchell’s decision to skip the Kangaroo Tour.
The Reed Mahoney Rumors
The biggest talking point is the leaked news that Reed Mahoney may be dropped from the 17-man squad for the finals. Kent notes that while the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are playing "ducks and drakes," moving Mahoney to the bench or out of the side makes some tactical sense against a massive Melbourne Storm pack. However, he warns of a "silent protest" from within the team, as players are reportedly unhappy about a leader being pushed out after helping the club reach the finals.
Gus Gould: The Master Tinkerer
Kent reflects on Phil Gould’s reputation for "outsmarting himself" during finals time. He draws parallels to Gould’s past at the Penrith Panthers, where he famously overruled Ivan Cleary to release Api Koroisau—a decision that backfired significantly. Kent suggests that while Gould has done a remarkable job flipping the roster, the "jury is out" on whether his late-season tinkering with the halves and hooker positions will pay off or alienate the fan base.
Taylan May’s "Twin" Contract Strategy
Taylan May has officially signed a two-year deal with the Wests Tigers. While it is a significant pay rise (reported at $1.25 million over two years), Kent highlights the tactical move of aligning his contract with his brother, Terrell May. Kent warns that having key players come off contract at the same time can be a "roster management nightmare" for a club, but he admits May has been "sensational" and is worth the risk for Shane Richardson.
Latrell Mitchell: "Mentally, He’s Had Enough"
Following Latrell Mitchell’s withdrawal from the Kangaroo Tour, Kent offers a candid assessment of the superstar’s headspace. He believes Mitchell is exhausted by the "eternal battle" of responding to public criticism. Kent supports the decision for Mitchell to head to his farm and reset, suggesting that the "alpha" nature of his personality makes it impossible for him to ignore the noise, which only leads to further exhaustion.
Post-Mortem: The Bottom Four
Kent concludes his review of the teams that failed to make the grade:
- South Sydney Rabbitohs: Kent notes the unprecedented injury toll but remains skeptical of their depth. He confirms that David Fifita joining the club under Wayne Bennett is essentially a "done deal," viewing it as Fifita’s last chance to succeed in Sydney.
- St George Illawarra Dragons: Kent is perplexed by Michael Ennis joining as an assistant coach. Ennis reportedly knocked back a "guaranteed" head coaching path at Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to join a club where Shane Flanagan is firmly entrenched. Kent wonders what Ennis saw at the Sea Eagles that made him want to leave so urgently.
- Gold Coast Titans: Kent describes the club as a "coaching graveyard," noting how it has stalled the careers of multiple successful coaches. He hopes the partnership between Des Hasler and Scott Sattler can provide a much-needed "complete reset."
- Newcastle Knights: After a disastrous end to the season, Kent calls the club’s pathways a "mess." He discusses the potential of Michael Cheika (as man manager) and Blake Green (as tactical coach) joining forces, but notes that Justin Holbrook is also a strong candidate for the head coaching role.
Grand Final Entertainment: Teddy Swims
The NRL has announced Teddy Swims as the Grand Final entertainment. Kent jokes about Peter V'landys’ description of the act but admits that Swims has the "stadium act" presence required for the big stage, unlike previous acts that have fallen flat in a large arena.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
