Bulldogs hand attacking keys to NRL rookie
Mar 28, 2017 - 4:34 PM The worst attack in the NRL over the opening month will be put in the hands of a rookie after Canterbury named little-known Matt Frawley to take on Brisbane on Thursday.A one-week shoulder charge ban for regular halfback Moses Mbye forced Bulldogs coach Des Hasler to reach further into his depth chart this week as he attempts to save his job.
Already engaged in lengthy talks to extend his tenure at Belmore, the two-time premiership-winning coach is under mounting pressure after securing just one win in the opening month.
And his task got even harder ahead of this week's clash against the Broncos, with his attack now resting in the hands of a 22-year-old debutant Frawley.
Since joining the club at the beginning of last season, the Canberra product has spent all his time waiting patiently in reserve grade but finally gets his chance to prove his ability.
"I've played with Matt Frawley last year in the Intrust Cup. He's very professional with what he does. He's a good player. He works very hard," fellow rookie Marcelo Montoya said.
"He's more of an organiser. He's very calm during some tough times as well. He's been looking forward to a run. If he gets the opportunity, he'll be ready."
Prop Aiden Tolman admitted Mbye's absence will be a loss, believing the fourth-year halfback had begun the year in good form despite their slow start to the season.
The Bulldogs' 54 points over the first four rounds is a league-low, and pales in comparison to the 94 points they had when they led the league at the corresponding moment last year.
"(Mbye has) been in some good form - he scored a try against the Warriors the week before and his attack's been really good for us," Tolman said.
"When (Frawley) comes in, the boys have his full support. He's been here for two years and been through the club and played premier league and been going really well."
Frawley's inclusion means three of the Bulldogs' seven-man backline are in their first season in the NRL and boast a combined four games between them in first grade.
Source: AAP
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