Moses Mbye will be at St George Illawarra next year after being released from the final year of his NRL contract with Wests Tigers.
Mbye’s exit from the Tigers was finally confirmed on Tuesday, after being told in March he could look elsewhere.
“You can’t help but hear what people say about you,” Mbye told the Herald.
“People put me into this category and say ‘he’s not worth this’ or ‘he’s a waste of money’.
“I didn’t come here to be a burden on the club. But that’s how it started to feel. I felt like the longer it went on without results, I was becoming a hinderance on what Madge [coach Michael Maguire] was trying to build. If he is going to be judged on the team’s performances, he deserves the chance to build a roster with players he wants to sign.
“I didn’t want to get in the way of that and me leaving gives the club more money to go out and recruit. I came to the Tigers in the hope of being part of the team that changed the fortunes of the club. I would have loved nothing more than to play my part in doing so, but it hasn’t worked out that way.”
The Dragons have long been a favoured destination, although the move at one stage seemed destined to fall over without a release midway through this season.
But fears of that were allayed on Tuesday when Mbye’s release was complete, paving the way for him to link with the Red V on a two-year deal.
Mbye’s departure follows three years at the Tigers, including two as club captain in 2019 and 2020.
The 28-year-old rose to be a Queensland representative player but the Tigers never got the full return on the $800,000 per season investment they made to lure him from Canterbury.
After Mbye floated between fullback, centre, five-eighth and utility, the Tigers now see a future with Daine Laurie at No.1 and Adam Doueihi in the No6 jersey.
They have signed Englishman Oliver Gildart to play centre next year, while Jackson Hastings will act as a No.13 and utility.
Mbye looms as an option in various positions for the Dragons, who are revamping their roster with Corey Norman and Matt Dufty leaving.
Meanwhile, Connor Watson has knocked back a contract extension from Newcastle to reunite with the Sydney Roosters on a two-year NRL deal from next season.
The 25-year-old utility will return to the club where he made his NRL debut in 2016 after ongoing discussions with Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Watson has been at the Knights since 2018 when he joined on the promise of a starting position, which he has been unable to lock down consistently over the past four seasons.
The Central Coast product was reluctantly granted an early release from his contract with the Roosters at the time, with the club adamant he had a place in their squad if he wanted it.
Over the past four seasons he has played almost every position in the back line for the Knights, as well as filling in at hooker and lock.
That versatility will be a huge bonus for the Roosters from 2022.
The confirmation of his homecoming offers a chance for Watson to reunite with Robinson, with the two staying in close contact over the years.
Earlier this month Robinson said he had been in talks with Watson to being him back to the club.
“I’ve talked to him but I’ve also tried to help him as well in other places because I’ve known him as well,” the Roosters coach said.
“We talked about two things – whether there was an opening at the Roosters but then also what are the best options for him.
“I’ve kept in contact with Connor for the last four years since he’s been away. And I’m always there for him and other players if they need advice as well.”
Although the Roosters are yet to confirm the signing, the Knights have released a statement announcing Watson’s departure one week after he played his 100th NRL game.
TIGERMIKE
Guest
Wish he matched that on field
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Looked good as a two year old , kk ! But now being shipped about through the mid week provincials ! :silly:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
CORRECTION... We actually have signed a player from a better club - Su'A
Tony
Roar Guru
At the moment...
Adam
Roar Guru
We don't know if Moses can sing...Perhaps there's something in that for a real journalist to unearth
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I find the move odd because they have Radley and Crichton too. Hard to fit into 11-13 with those 2 there already. Maybe they've sold him on playing centre?
Tony
Roar Guru
I think Ted Ellery was a one-off, Fark
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Can the Drags unearth another TV Ted - a few like him wouldn’t go astray
Adam
Roar Guru
Gone up in value the last year or so too
Beastie
Roar Rookie
Good points but what position is Watson going to play? Bench utility, the same position he is playing now when he's not starting at lock. The Roosters have Radley starting at lock and he can play decent minutes so Watson seems to be taking a step backwards in terms of playing time and influence. I can't see this move helping him make any rep teams in the future.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’ve done it before. Specifically because I felt it was to set up a pathway to making more. If he makes 2 origin games next year for example, he’s on more money. It’s absolutely a reflection on the Knights I do agree.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That is a big difference mate. How would you go if you were told to drop 1/7th of your pay. Those numbers are low for his career choice and that is a serious reduction to take. I get he is taking a punt on himself to increase his value but still. It says more about just how poorly run the Knights are.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
It seems that Mbye has a very healthy head space, to be able to acknowledge the public perception of him in the media and just allow it to flow off himself is quite a strong quality to have. There's more important things in life than footy or what others think of you.
Nat
Roar Guru
He's accumulating a lot of experienced players from other clubs that paid overs and continue pay to a fair portion. His cap must be in pretty good shape or getting there at least. In 2 yrs, all these old boys will be gone and the young talent (Lomax, Sloan, Amone and Ramsey) will be 2 yrs better. These guys Hook is buying may not win them a premiership but with all the BS the team has been through this year there is still 5 teams below them on the table.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's hardly crazy though. Apparently Newcastle offered $350k for 3 seasons, Roosters $300k for 2. Makes sense to go to the better team for not much difference in contract value, because playing in a better functioning team you are better positioned to push for rep selection, and increasing your market value for year 3.
Tony
Roar Guru
At least she can sing
Tony
Roar Guru
Let's try the Johnny King coaching approach - here's how he greeted his Western Division Amco Cup team way back in 1974. “I don’t know youse — but I know this: you’ve got to play MY football, not your football. Whatever ideas you’ve got, just throw ’em to the shi.thouse … I’m not interested in any of it. This is the way we’re gonna play!” They won.
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
For a long time I have thought some type of value system is the only way to get a more competitive competition. The devil as always is the detail . It has to be better though than the lopsided comp we have had for 20 years.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I'm not convinced Fark. Mary was hopeless, full stop. Griffin might have had Penrith going ok but he's done nothing for Saints. He didn't do any good at the Broncos and i think while Saints have some new players for 2022 he doesn't fill me with confidence.