Bad Billy
Kennel Immortal
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- Jan 25, 2010
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MOSES Mbye is ready to be Canterbury’s version of Johnathan Thurston, with the young gun taking up goalkicking duties to flourish as the Bulldogs’ main man next season.
Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson’s departure to Newcastle in 2016 has opened the door for Mbye, who is taking inspiration from Thurston to fire in Canterbury’s No. 7 jumper.
As a kid growing up in Noosa, Mbye idolised Thurston and Broncos legend Darren Lockyer. Now he hopes to bring a Thurston-like influence to the Bulldogs, a decade after the club inexplicably allowed the four-time Dally M winner to slip the net.
Mbye has been watching footage of Thurston, noting the cool-head that saw the Maroons ace clinch the Cowboys’ maiden title with his epic field goal in the NRL grand final three weeks ago.
The 22-year-old played 23 games in his first full season this year for the Bulldogs and says he is ready to take the next step as Canterbury’s chief shot-caller.
“I’m enjoying my footy at the Bulldogs and next year there is a chance for me to really stamp my mark with Trent leaving,” Mbye said.
“I watch a few guys but for me Johnathan Thurston is one guy you can learn from. He’s on the next level and I’ve learnt a lot this year just by watching him.
“There’s a few halves I like to keep an eye on. I’d love to be able to play like Thurston or Cooper Cronk (Storm No. 7) but I was also impressed by Ben Hunt (Broncos halfback) this year, he played some outstanding footy and he wasn’t bad to watch.
“I definitely love playing in the halves and the opportunity is there for me to show what I can do.”
Complacency certainly won’t be an issue. Mbye leaves for a family holiday to Bali on Saturday, but just 24 hours earlier he was training alone as he attempts to fill the massive goalkicking void left by Hodkinson.
“With Hodko going, it looks like I’m going to be the fulltime goalkicker so I’ve already been out there working on it,” Mbye said.
“I didn’t kick goals as a kid. I nailed a few this year in games but I’ve never been a goalkicker, so I need to do some work in that area.
“I don’t know if I will be the next Daryl Halligan (former Bulldogs sharpshooter) but hopefully I can do the job well.”
Mbye admits the three-way battle with Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds for two starting halves spots tested his patience.
“It was a tough situation,” he said. “Three guys going for two positions made it hard for everyone.
“Hodko and Josh were the incumbent (NSW) Origin halves so they were always going to be first choice which was understandable.
“It was hard for me to break into the side but now I get my chance. I need a big pre-season and hopefully with some good trials I can nail that starting spot and be a long-term playmaker at the Dogs.”
Talking already ??
Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson’s departure to Newcastle in 2016 has opened the door for Mbye, who is taking inspiration from Thurston to fire in Canterbury’s No. 7 jumper.
As a kid growing up in Noosa, Mbye idolised Thurston and Broncos legend Darren Lockyer. Now he hopes to bring a Thurston-like influence to the Bulldogs, a decade after the club inexplicably allowed the four-time Dally M winner to slip the net.
Mbye has been watching footage of Thurston, noting the cool-head that saw the Maroons ace clinch the Cowboys’ maiden title with his epic field goal in the NRL grand final three weeks ago.
The 22-year-old played 23 games in his first full season this year for the Bulldogs and says he is ready to take the next step as Canterbury’s chief shot-caller.
“I’m enjoying my footy at the Bulldogs and next year there is a chance for me to really stamp my mark with Trent leaving,” Mbye said.
“I watch a few guys but for me Johnathan Thurston is one guy you can learn from. He’s on the next level and I’ve learnt a lot this year just by watching him.
“There’s a few halves I like to keep an eye on. I’d love to be able to play like Thurston or Cooper Cronk (Storm No. 7) but I was also impressed by Ben Hunt (Broncos halfback) this year, he played some outstanding footy and he wasn’t bad to watch.
“I definitely love playing in the halves and the opportunity is there for me to show what I can do.”
Complacency certainly won’t be an issue. Mbye leaves for a family holiday to Bali on Saturday, but just 24 hours earlier he was training alone as he attempts to fill the massive goalkicking void left by Hodkinson.
“With Hodko going, it looks like I’m going to be the fulltime goalkicker so I’ve already been out there working on it,” Mbye said.
“I didn’t kick goals as a kid. I nailed a few this year in games but I’ve never been a goalkicker, so I need to do some work in that area.
“I don’t know if I will be the next Daryl Halligan (former Bulldogs sharpshooter) but hopefully I can do the job well.”
Mbye admits the three-way battle with Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds for two starting halves spots tested his patience.
“It was a tough situation,” he said. “Three guys going for two positions made it hard for everyone.
“Hodko and Josh were the incumbent (NSW) Origin halves so they were always going to be first choice which was understandable.
“It was hard for me to break into the side but now I get my chance. I need a big pre-season and hopefully with some good trials I can nail that starting spot and be a long-term playmaker at the Dogs.”
Talking already ??
