Hope for Mahoney

PARRAMATTA hooker Reed Mahoney feared the worst when he hobbled off the field just before halftime in the Eels’ Round 2 win against the Titans. With his foot injured, he had tried to play on after the break but couldn’t put any pressure on the injury.

“I tried to walk on it and I was in a lot of pain,” Mahoney, 21, said. “It didn’t hit me when it happened.

“At full-time when the boys won, it really got to me. I did break down in tears.

“You work so hard and I knew there was something seriously wrong with my foot.”

Scans revealed Mahoney suffered a “Jones fracture” in his foot.

The first specialist he met with told him the injury would sideline the off-contract Mahoney for 20 weeks, ruling him out of the regular season.

“He said we could leave it but there would be a 20 per cent chance of it happening again,” Mahoney said.

“When I heard the operation would sideline me for 20 weeks, your whole world ends in front of you.”

The Eels sought another opinion and this time were told a different technique could have him back on the field in 10 weeks.

Mahoney underwent the operation just days after learning the competition would be suspended indefinitely.

Now, with the May 28 kickoff announced, he will end up missing just a handful of games.

“It’s a bit strange but I’m glad it’s (the operation) done now,” Mahoney said. “If we are back on July 1 that could give me enough time to be fully recovered.”