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NU Brown has made it clear to new Canterbury coach Dean Pay he wants first shot at partnering the Bulldogs’ $3 million man Kieran Foran in the halves.
Foran is yet to hit the training paddock as he continues his rehab in the gym, but there have been no shortage of halves contenders trying to make a mark on Pay, including Brown, Matt Frawley and Josh Cleeland.
Lachie Lewis, the 21-year-old nephew of Immortal Wally Lewis, is also making an impression.
Brown ruptured his ACL at the Auckland Nines in 2015, then struggled to get a start in the halves behind Cronulla pair James Maloney and Chad Townsend.
While used sparingly and as a utility at the Sharks, Brown told Pay of his dream to start in the halves, declaring he had the confidence to do just that come round one.
“I said to Deano, ‘I didn’t come here to be a reserve or be used as a utility, I’ve come here to make a name for myself and a fresh start’,’’ Brown told The Daily Telegraph.
Nu Brown is looking for a fresh start at the Bulldogs. Picture: Richard Dobson
“I know I’m ready. I feel like I’m ready to go out on my own and be a leader.
“I know in myself I’m capable of doing what starting players do week in week out. I want a taste of the NRL again.’’
Brown said he had learned a lot from Maloney and Townsend, and being a part of the 2015 premiership winning Sharks had given him a vital glimpse of what was required for an NRL club to go all the way.
That was not lost on Pay, who was glad to have a vast list of contenders to partner Foran in the No. 6 or No. 7 jersey.
“The thing about Nu is he’s played in a winning team at Cronulla and had that experience in playing in some bigger games,’’ Pay said.
“He’s a powerful kid and definitely in the mix for a halves spot. There’s some good competition for spots. They’re all training really well at the moment.’’
Moses Mbye could play at fullback in 2018. Pic Mark Evans
Frawley spent plenty of time in the halves last year and still lives with former favourite son Josh Reynolds, Queenslander Cleeland, 26, impressed in the NSW Cup for the Dogs last season, as did Lewis.
Brown, who turns 23 this month, said his running game was his best asset, which would only complement Foran’s organisational skills.
As for Foran, Pay said he continued to make good progress in rehabilitation, and had resumed straight-line running. Which jersey number would be on his back would be decided closer to the season opener.
Moses Mbye, one player seen as a potential halves partner for Foran, has been training at fullback with Will Hopoate expected to move to the centres once he returns to training after his successful Tongan World Cup campaign.
The Bulldogs will have two trials against the Raiders on the Sunshine Coast and then Penrith at spiritual Belmore Oval before their season opener against premiers Melbourne in Perth.
Foran is yet to hit the training paddock as he continues his rehab in the gym, but there have been no shortage of halves contenders trying to make a mark on Pay, including Brown, Matt Frawley and Josh Cleeland.
Lachie Lewis, the 21-year-old nephew of Immortal Wally Lewis, is also making an impression.
Brown ruptured his ACL at the Auckland Nines in 2015, then struggled to get a start in the halves behind Cronulla pair James Maloney and Chad Townsend.
While used sparingly and as a utility at the Sharks, Brown told Pay of his dream to start in the halves, declaring he had the confidence to do just that come round one.
“I said to Deano, ‘I didn’t come here to be a reserve or be used as a utility, I’ve come here to make a name for myself and a fresh start’,’’ Brown told The Daily Telegraph.
Nu Brown is looking for a fresh start at the Bulldogs. Picture: Richard Dobson
“I know I’m ready. I feel like I’m ready to go out on my own and be a leader.
“I know in myself I’m capable of doing what starting players do week in week out. I want a taste of the NRL again.’’
Brown said he had learned a lot from Maloney and Townsend, and being a part of the 2015 premiership winning Sharks had given him a vital glimpse of what was required for an NRL club to go all the way.
That was not lost on Pay, who was glad to have a vast list of contenders to partner Foran in the No. 6 or No. 7 jersey.
“The thing about Nu is he’s played in a winning team at Cronulla and had that experience in playing in some bigger games,’’ Pay said.
“He’s a powerful kid and definitely in the mix for a halves spot. There’s some good competition for spots. They’re all training really well at the moment.’’
Moses Mbye could play at fullback in 2018. Pic Mark Evans
Frawley spent plenty of time in the halves last year and still lives with former favourite son Josh Reynolds, Queenslander Cleeland, 26, impressed in the NSW Cup for the Dogs last season, as did Lewis.
Brown, who turns 23 this month, said his running game was his best asset, which would only complement Foran’s organisational skills.
As for Foran, Pay said he continued to make good progress in rehabilitation, and had resumed straight-line running. Which jersey number would be on his back would be decided closer to the season opener.
Moses Mbye, one player seen as a potential halves partner for Foran, has been training at fullback with Will Hopoate expected to move to the centres once he returns to training after his successful Tongan World Cup campaign.
The Bulldogs will have two trials against the Raiders on the Sunshine Coast and then Penrith at spiritual Belmore Oval before their season opener against premiers Melbourne in Perth.
