The CoodabeenChampions | Quality Street
6 April 2002
Footballers are seldom associated with environmental awareness. But one player started off green and ended up treading lightly upon the earth. He protected his rational faculties with a helmet. He broadened his horizons by playing with three AFL clubs. The fellow is Josh Mahoney.
The J boy began his adventure with the Western Jets Then to the ecologically sensitive estuary of Williamstown in the VFL. Mahoney was a player with skills in full abundance together with lightning reflexes. For a football dictionary he defined the word courage. 19 games during his first year as a Seagull. The AFL club that chose Josh with 1996 national draft pick 84 enjoys the reputation for a heightened level of activism. Collingwood. The Magpies gave their new player the number 8 jumper made famous by John Mahon and Allan Edwards and Jason Croall and Brett James. The new guy had a useful shape. 183 and 75.
1997. A round 13 night game against the kings of the jungle at the Gabba. Midway through the second JM stood his sustainable ground and took a gutsy mark under extreme pressure from Richard Champion. The youthful Magpie kicked a goal from 35 metres. Also he experienced the fulfillment of providing by passing to Mark Richardson who made no mistake from just inside 50. The other thing about Mahoney was his willingness to get the hard ball, generate a handpass then supply a shepherd for the recipient. At the end of the night Collingwood narrow losers. 11.7 to 11.22.
Josh committed himself in round 14 against Geelong at the MCG. He snapped a goal knowing he was going to get crunched. Again the Pies lost. 6.26 to 10.12.
Round 2 1998. The Eagles under lights at Subiaco. Josho did a lot of work. Two of his tackles caused turnovers that resulted in goals. The Eagles prevailed 17.14 to 8.8. The old enemy Carlton in round 6 at the MCG. The number 8 continued his work ethic. Running and harassing the opposition. He scored the last goal in a game the Maggies won 14.12 to 9.13. Never did a bloke feel so comfortable being surrounded by Woods.
Following the '98 season Collingwood swapped Mahoney to the Bulldogs for Tyson Lane. With 19 games under his belt JM sought greener pastures in the western suburbs. He wore the number 13 guernsey. Wore a helmet too because of all the knocks to the brain box.
The new Dog starred in round 1 1999. A night game against the Crows at FP. Several minutes into the second Mahoney grabbed the ball, dodged two opponents and kicked forward allowing Michael Martin to run on to the ball and goal. Third quarterwise Mahoney used his body cleverly to hold off an opponent then dive forward to mark across half back Fired off a handpass straightaway. Josho was a member of a winning side. 13.13 to 12.6. He then suffered a few injuries and found it hard getting back into the seniors. Yet number 13 played 7 games that year.
However Josh Mahoney was released by the Dogs. He crossed to Essendon and gave cultivated service to the Bombers VFL side. His greatest game was the SANFL versus VFL game at Adelaide Oval last June. Mahoney ran forward and booted a major in the opening minutes. Halfway through the second he took and absolute screamer. In the air longer than John Coleman and Michael Jordan combined. Alas the Vics lost. But Jo M was among best on ground.
Josh Mahoney understood the meaning of preserving space and protecting territory.