Mahoney joins list of 10 best nigglers
Niggling has become an art form in the modern game, with smart-mouthed players capable of putting opponents off their game with a few well chosen words or gestures.
And with the NRL having a strict ‘no punch’ edict, sledgers have an open licence to bait their opponents in the middle, knowing they are in no danger of copping a slap in the mouth, as would have happened in the old days.
So who are the best nigglers in the NRL?
The Mole spoke to several players, coaches and officials to come up with this list of cheeky players around the league.
There is nothing wrong with what amounts to a little gamesmanship – champion players in the past like Wally Lewis, Ricky Stuart, Mark Geyer, Bob Fulton and Benny Elias were world class sledgers.
So here we go – our top 10 smart mouths around the NRL.