Moses Mbye admits premiers Melbourne would be "stupid" not to launch an aerial bombardment of the first-time fullback, who is expecting a baptism of fire in the doubleheader at Perth's $1.6 billion Optus Stadium.
The man who counts a fill-in appearance in the No.1 during an under-16s match as his only previous experience at the back will have no greater initiation than against the defending champions.
Mbye's transition to the No.1 will be part of a suite of changes new coach Dean Pay has made to the Bulldogs' often spluttering attack, which will be led by a fit-again Kieran Foran.
Mbye will at least be relieved Billy Slater won't be lining up as Melbourne's fullback. Storm coach Craig Bellamy has decided to take no risks with Slater's shoulder injury on the eve of his 300th game.
Mbye insists his biggest test will be organising Canterbury's defence, which will be asked to shackle the world club champions, who will have only Cameron Smith in action from their perennial "big three".
And Mbye didn't have to look too far for inspiration in that department.
"Those good fullbacks [Slater and Darius Boyd] are really good defenders, the way they structure their side and communicate to their team," Mbye said. "That's definitely a part I've been working hard at.
"I'm obviously going to be a different style of player to the other fullbacks out there. I want to make it my own style, and I want to play the game how I want to play it. After doing a tough summer in that role I've got a lot more respect for what they actually do on the field."
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/mb...-for-fullback-initiation-20180309-p4z3nr.html
The man who counts a fill-in appearance in the No.1 during an under-16s match as his only previous experience at the back will have no greater initiation than against the defending champions.
Mbye's transition to the No.1 will be part of a suite of changes new coach Dean Pay has made to the Bulldogs' often spluttering attack, which will be led by a fit-again Kieran Foran.
Mbye will at least be relieved Billy Slater won't be lining up as Melbourne's fullback. Storm coach Craig Bellamy has decided to take no risks with Slater's shoulder injury on the eve of his 300th game.
Mbye insists his biggest test will be organising Canterbury's defence, which will be asked to shackle the world club champions, who will have only Cameron Smith in action from their perennial "big three".
And Mbye didn't have to look too far for inspiration in that department.
"Those good fullbacks [Slater and Darius Boyd] are really good defenders, the way they structure their side and communicate to their team," Mbye said. "That's definitely a part I've been working hard at.
"I'm obviously going to be a different style of player to the other fullbacks out there. I want to make it my own style, and I want to play the game how I want to play it. After doing a tough summer in that role I've got a lot more respect for what they actually do on the field."
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/mb...-for-fullback-initiation-20180309-p4z3nr.html