The Mbye Conundrum

Fletch

Well-known member
Where is he going to play and what is his best position?

It would be interesting to know what plans Madge has for Mbye for next season and beyond. Is he going to train him with a focus on one position, or a bit of everything, a utility? It will be difficult to excel if playing multiple positions during the course of a season.

Last season was hampered by that knee injury before the trials. Madge persisted with him at fullback but it was clear during the first part of the season his heavily strapped knee had too much of an adverse impact on his acceleration, top speed and lateral movement, and his confidence dropped to a point he was struggling to even catch high kicks, let alone have any great influence on games.

The move to centre was the right decision under the circumstances, it lighten his on-field responsibilities and workload, and he adapted reasonably well (particularly in defence) considering he was still affected by the knee. His 2019 season was finally finished off with his hamstrings giving way, probably as a consequence of the knee.

He’s on big dollars and is currently the captain, and I would think he needs to eventually shift into the spine if he is going to earn his keep and have a high level of influence on games. I also think he’s on too much money to be permanently shifted out onto an edge and play the rest of career at the Tigers as a center.

Some on the forum are in favor of offloading him, but he’s contracted for another three seasons, until 2022. There doesn’t appear to be any considerable interest from other clubs to secure his services as he simply doesn’t have enough recent quality performances to garner the interest, and if he does turn things around and starts playing well why would we get rid of him. If he was to moved on I suspect the Tigers would have to carry a substantial amount of the freight, for this reason I can’t see him changing clubs without it having a hefty negative impact on our salary cap - unless for some reason he instigates a move himself.

Mbye looked good at fullback for the Bulldogs and then the Tigers when recruited mid-season in 2018. The most desirable outcome for Mbye and the Tigers is for him to recapture some of his speed and lateral movement as these are the attributes that’ll make him a dangerous attacking weapon again.

The two big questions are...

Where is he going play next season?

and;

What is the longer term plan?

I’d like to know what position Mbye thinks he’s suited to, and maybe that’s where to start in finding a way of getting the best out of him. He played mostly in the halves and was making an impact as a junior at the Bulldogs. Is this where he should be playing, 5/8? Is the plan to shift him there when Benji retires? There has been plenty of debate and a variety of opinions on the forum, but for Mbye’s and the Tigers sake you would think a longer term plan is at least being considered if Mbye is to excel in his career. Otherwise he could end up as a utility that is shifted around season after season ending up the everywhere man, but the master of none!
 
I was puzzled when he was named Captain. By all accounts a decent person but he doesn't strike me as inspirational. Marshall was the obvious on field leader in 2019
 
One of our best after he arrived in 2018. Burdened with injuries throughout 2019. He's on too much money but I still rate him as a player and i'm glad he's with us.
 
Robbie rates him highly as a 9.

Madge doesn't.

Personally I'd have him at 9 based on current squad.
 
Pretty rare to have no idea what position your captain will be playing 2 months out from the start of the season.
 
Mbyes best skill is his second receiver passing game, if he can recapture his pace is a lot him back into FB, if he is crippled by this injury and cant re capture his speed, 6 is his best position imo.....Mbye is a smart player and of a higher quality when fit....I would mind seeing him and brooks and brooks in the havles with brooks controlling the majority of kicking and Mbye using his brilliant ball playing down short sides
 
I would play him at 9 if he is going to be captain. Otherwise I would have him on the bench as QLD did. Then give grub more game time.
 
@Auburnon80 said in [The Mbye Conundrum](/post/1098662) said:
Robbie rates him highly as a 9.

Madge doesn't.

Personally I'd have him at 9 based on current squad.

What makes you say Madge doesn’t rate him as a 9?

Last I heard from on here was Madge was trialling him at 9.

Personally I’d be going Benji and Reynolds swamping between 6 and 9
 
For the money he is on he needs to be the long term fullback or 5/8. If he can’t stand up in either of those positions he should be moved on.
 
Id have him as 9 next year and barring 8njury thats where i think he will start round 1 and be long term.
 
I think you have to try him at 9 this year and see how that goes prior to making a longer term decision. I like the idea of him playing 6 longer term.

It'll be interesting how much we offer him next contract. He is a quality first grader but not really a top level player at this point.
 
I think he played his best footy at centre, in saying that we were a heaps better defensive side with him at fullback. I think Walters will suprise a few people at 9 this year
 
I think he's a 5/8
But he's an origin centre.

He's a good media man and that's about it tbh.
Okay utility.
 

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