Mahoney further cements himself as an all-time Eagles great with his 200th game

A desire to test himself in state-level footy netted him two WAFL premierships with Subiaco as well as a Lions best-and-fairest — the only time he strayed from Mansfield Recreation Reserve.

But the 35-year-old midfielder, born and bred in Mansfield, was always destined to bookend his career back in the High Country, and his latest milestone is steeped in a mutual love and respect between club and player.

“I absolutely love the club and love playing here,” Mahoney said.

“My family has had a pretty big involvement in the footy club; my dad and my brothers all played footy here and Mum’s been secretary for the last 25 years.

“I’ve been there since junior football, to under-18s and then senior football.

“It’s been a great journey and I'm certainly glad to bring up the 200 and make a bit of a contribution to the club within that.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to thank a lot of people who helped me along the journey because over a span of that many years, a lot of people help you – I’m grateful for all of them.”

Mahoney’s talent at a young age made him a crucial cog for Mansfield and the Murray Bushrangers, netting him back-to-back flags firstly in the Bushies’ famous 2008 TAC Cup premiership and then the 2009 Goulburn Valley League flag with Mansfield, the club’s last at senior level.

Those in attendance at Deakin Reserve for the decider between the Eagles and Kyabram will fondly remember the 18-year-old’s tide-turning, four-bounce dash through the middle resulting in a pivotal goal.

The eventual 16.12 (108) to 13.9 (87) result, helmed by now Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly, remains, unsurprisingly, a fond memory for Mahoney.

“Winning one at my home club was always special and to be able to do it with some very real close mates as well … that’s obviously going to sit at the top of the tree,” he said.

“Two weeks before (the grand final), Kyabram beat us by about 10 goals; to go from that to winning it is quite the turnaround, it just sort of just shows you that on your day anything can happen.

“(Craig Kelly) was harsh but fair … everyone was really engaged and didn't know what he was going to do next in terms of what he was going to say.

“I remember one game he sprayed the crowd for not cheering loud enough.

“There was a lot of good noise around the club with him being there — it was a good time to be a part of.”

Mahoney mixed his Mansfield duties with his first VFL appointment, playing five games for Collingwood across the 2009 and 2010 seasons before making the move west to Subiaco in 2012.

After 97 games, two premierships in 2014 and 2015, as well as an Outridge Medal, he made his return to Mansfield Recreation Reserve in 2017.

Since then, Mahoney has won three best-and-fairests, represented the GVL a further three times and is now smack-dab in the middle of another flag push with the finals-bound Eagles.

And despite injuries limiting him to 10 appearances this campaign, Mahoney is still averaging 25 disposals, six tackles and 117 ranking points a game.

“We’ve put ourselves in a position to play finals,” he said.

“We're going to have to put our best foot forward going into finals football and, hopefully, we can hit a really good patch of form.

“But we've got to put in the work to do that.

“For me personally, being at the end of the career, just being able to play football is a bonus really.

“I've had a few soft tissue injuries this year, so I haven't had a real good run at it.

“I suppose every game's a bonus and you want to make it count, because you never know how many more opportunities you’ve got left.”

Mansfield will be hoping it is the first team to topple Kyabram this season when they do battle at Mansfield Recreation Reserve this Saturday, August 9.