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The St George Illawarra Dragons’ much-vaunted defence was frequently compromised by the Canterbury Bulldogs in their brilliant 29-16 victory, led by exciting young half Moses Mbye.
The Noosa Pirates product was a late inclusion into the starting side for Josh Reynolds, yet it was the duo’s combination late in the game that saw the Bulldogs steamroll the Dragons in a scenario reminiscent of their 1995 grand final win.
It was an excellent victory for the blue and whites, and the events of the game only added fuel to the fire of contract speculation at Belmore.
Following Daly Cherry-Evans’ backflip on the Gold Coast Titans, speculation has been rife this week that the Titans’ new number one target for 2016 is the under-contract Mbye.
Given the young half’s outstanding form this year, and the comparatively paltry form of regular number 7 Trent Hodkinson, it has the Bulldogs in a precarious position.
Do they offload the incumbent New South Wales halfback, who only last year scored the try and kicked the goal to bring Queensland’s eight-year State of Origin dynasty to an end? The man who, throughout his five-year tenure at Canterbury, stole the hearts and minds of fans with a number of scintillating plays that ultimately led his side to an unexpected grand final appearance? The man who, away from the field, took home the Ken Stephen Medal last year for his engagement with the community, bringing smiles to the faces of those who needed it most?
Should coach Des Hasler and CEO Raelene Castle abandon all that in order to lock-up the 21-year-old Mbye, another exciting product of the Bulldogs system?
The last thing they would want to do is make the exact same mistake they made 11 years ago, when rather than securing a young Johnathan Thurston, the Bulldogs hierarchy opted to retain Braith Anasta and Brent Sherwin.
While it’s unlikely Mbye will become the superstar Thurston is, is it worth taking the risk?
Based on Monday’s performance, Mbye and Reynolds are the club’s best halves. It’s plain for all bar Des Hasler to see.
Hodkinson has been stifling the Bulldogs’ attack all season long, and while his efforts in defence are outstanding, it simply isn’t enough to warrant his selection at halfback ahead of Mbye.
This was demonstrated on Monday. Hodkinson was hooked from the field in favour of Reynolds in the 60th minute, and the latter inspired his side to turn their six-point deficit at 16-10 into a sensational 29-16 victory, with Mbye slotting a late field-goal.
This came on the heels of Reynolds and Mbye’s stupendous showing against the Canberra Raiders when Hodkinson away on Origin duty, the very first time the two lined up alongside each other as halves in first grade. That day Ryenolds managed two tries and a linebreak, while his partner picked up a try of his own, a linebreak, as well as a try assist.
The statistics speak for themselves.
Hodkinson has been a loyal and brave servant to the Bulldogs – his perseverance fighting knee injury after knee injury alone is tremendous. However, Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds are the Bulldogs’ future, and Hasler must muster the courage to let the NSW incumbent go. Better still, Des must demote him to reserve grade.
Without sounding too much like a eulogy, Hodkinson will always be remembered as the Canterbury halfback who brought down the Maroon juggernaut.
It’s unfortunate that it has come to this so soon after his 2014 heroics, but sometimes things have to fall apart to make way for better things.
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