Parramatta’s hopes of breaking a 35-year premiership drought have copped a crushing blow, with gun hooker Reed Mahoney suffering a potentially season-ending shoulder injury during the Eels’ 40-12 loss to the Rabbitohs.
After Mahoney laid a phenomenal 77th-minute tackle on South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell as he threatened to break Parramatta’s line, the diminutive rake got up clutching at his left shoulder.
Mahoney was then visibly devastated as he left the field with the help of a medico late in the Gold Coast fixture.
The Queenslander has suffered a setback to the same shoulder that forced him out of the Maroons State of Origin squad.
The injury cost Mahoney a potential Origin debut and sidelined him for three NRL games.
Eels coach Brad Arthur conceded the worst in his post-match press conference following the defeat to the Rabbitohs.
“It could be the end of him for the year,” Arthur said.
Rugby league icon Phil Gould was deeply concerned for Mahoney as he left the field.
“He looked really upset. You could see it. He threw his headgear on the ground, he broke down, he’s nearly inconsolable at the moment,” Gould said on Nine’s coverage.
“So something’s happened here.
“(It) could well mean the end of his season, or he’s upset at the result and the form of the Eels.
“But I think it’s probably more the injury at the moment and certainly the results aren’t helping.
“He’s quite upset, the young man.
“Such a competitor, a real competitor. This wouldn’t be sitting well with him.”
Mahoney’s pain was compounded by the Eels falling to a third loss in succession, following previous defeats to the Raiders and Roosters.
It’s also the second time in as many games they’ve been comprehensively beaten by a fellow top-eight side, after the Roosters downed them 28-0 last week.
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