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THESE are the statistics that show Moses Mbye could become one of the NRL’s most potent fullbacks in a switch that would allow Des Hasler to keep the unknown halfback who saved his Bulldogs career.
Hasler will again have to produce a masterstroke this week with long-term playmaking project Mbye due back from suspension in a return that could result in Matt Frawley being dumped back to the NSW Cup.
In his first NRL match, Frawley steered the Bulldogs to an against-the-odds win over the Broncos with the rookie No. 7 securing more repeat sets on Thursday night than Mbye and Josh Reynolds have managed the entire season.
Facing another must-win match against the struggling Knights at Newcastle on Friday night, Hasler will be forced to take a positional gamble to keep both Frawley and Mbye in the team.
Despite calls from fans and experts to move Mbye to No. 9 at the expense of Michael Lichaa, statistics obtained by The Sunday Telegraph show Mbye could be converted into a top-flight fullback.
One of the fastest players at the Bulldogs over 40m, the 23-year-old made 1,753 running metres last season and broke the line 10 times in a show of his destructive running game.
Mbye ran an average of 196m a match in 2016.
In comparison, NSW contending No. 7 Adam Reynolds ran 669 metres in 2016 for an average of 91m per game.
The South Sydney prodigy only broke the line once.
Despite playing a position where his first option is to pass not run, Mbye’s running statistics also compare well to the NRL’s leading fullbacks.
Mbye’s stats show he could hold his own at fullback. Pic: Gregg Porteous
He led Josh Dugan for line-breaks last season and trailed his average running metres (314m) by only 118m a match despite the NSW fullback’s numerous kick returns and dummy-half danger area runs.
Greg Alexander, the original halfback to be converted to a fullback, declared Mbye was not a halfback and should be switched to the back.
“There is no reason he couldn’t be a good fullback and there is no doubt he is not a genuine half,’’ Alexander said.
“He doesn’t dictate where the teams goes or play like a traditional half. He doesn’t have that touch. He is also not a ballplayer who will run to the line and take a shot.
Matt Frawley was in control against the Bulldogs and forced repeat sets. Pic: Gregg Porteous
“Basically he is a runner and a good runner. That means he could turn into a good fullback. He is quick and he has great footwork. We saw that against Manly when he made a fantastic line-break. His footwork is exceptional. There is no reason why he couldn’t be a fullback.’’
Mbye’s career statistics also support a backline move for the player anointed Trent Hodkinson’s playmaking replacement when the former NSW No. 7 signed with the Newcastle Knights.
Mbye’s running statistics are far more impressive than his kick and pass numbers.
In 61 games Mbye has only averaged 6.7 kicks a match for an average of 186m while forcing just 28 dropouts in his NRL career.
Alexander also said the Bulldogs needed to retain Frawley following his role in the club’s second win of the year.
“I think they need to keep Frawley,’’ Alexander said.
“He looks like a player that has played there all his life. A half needs to dictate to play and that is not Mbye’s game.’’
Frawley earned five repeat sets on Thursday night and the Bulldogs had only managed three in the first four rounds.
Hasler will again have to produce a masterstroke this week with long-term playmaking project Mbye due back from suspension in a return that could result in Matt Frawley being dumped back to the NSW Cup.
In his first NRL match, Frawley steered the Bulldogs to an against-the-odds win over the Broncos with the rookie No. 7 securing more repeat sets on Thursday night than Mbye and Josh Reynolds have managed the entire season.
Facing another must-win match against the struggling Knights at Newcastle on Friday night, Hasler will be forced to take a positional gamble to keep both Frawley and Mbye in the team.
Despite calls from fans and experts to move Mbye to No. 9 at the expense of Michael Lichaa, statistics obtained by The Sunday Telegraph show Mbye could be converted into a top-flight fullback.
One of the fastest players at the Bulldogs over 40m, the 23-year-old made 1,753 running metres last season and broke the line 10 times in a show of his destructive running game.
Mbye ran an average of 196m a match in 2016.
In comparison, NSW contending No. 7 Adam Reynolds ran 669 metres in 2016 for an average of 91m per game.
The South Sydney prodigy only broke the line once.
Despite playing a position where his first option is to pass not run, Mbye’s running statistics also compare well to the NRL’s leading fullbacks.
Mbye’s stats show he could hold his own at fullback. Pic: Gregg Porteous
He led Josh Dugan for line-breaks last season and trailed his average running metres (314m) by only 118m a match despite the NSW fullback’s numerous kick returns and dummy-half danger area runs.
Greg Alexander, the original halfback to be converted to a fullback, declared Mbye was not a halfback and should be switched to the back.
“There is no reason he couldn’t be a good fullback and there is no doubt he is not a genuine half,’’ Alexander said.
“He doesn’t dictate where the teams goes or play like a traditional half. He doesn’t have that touch. He is also not a ballplayer who will run to the line and take a shot.
Matt Frawley was in control against the Bulldogs and forced repeat sets. Pic: Gregg Porteous
“Basically he is a runner and a good runner. That means he could turn into a good fullback. He is quick and he has great footwork. We saw that against Manly when he made a fantastic line-break. His footwork is exceptional. There is no reason why he couldn’t be a fullback.’’
Mbye’s career statistics also support a backline move for the player anointed Trent Hodkinson’s playmaking replacement when the former NSW No. 7 signed with the Newcastle Knights.
Mbye’s running statistics are far more impressive than his kick and pass numbers.
In 61 games Mbye has only averaged 6.7 kicks a match for an average of 186m while forcing just 28 dropouts in his NRL career.
Alexander also said the Bulldogs needed to retain Frawley following his role in the club’s second win of the year.
“I think they need to keep Frawley,’’ Alexander said.
“He looks like a player that has played there all his life. A half needs to dictate to play and that is not Mbye’s game.’’
Frawley earned five repeat sets on Thursday night and the Bulldogs had only managed three in the first four rounds.
