Moses Mbye says he’s approaching his new deal at the Dragons with optimism but can’t help feeling regret for the way his time at the Tigers ended.
The former Wests captain was officially granted a release from the final year of his $850,000 deal, to link with St George Illawarra on a two-year contract from next season. The Tigers will pay just over 50 per cent of Mbye’s salary next year.
Mbye told the Sydney Morning Herald he felt like a “burden” on the team following his tumultuous three-year stint at Concord.
“At first you try and put the noise to the side, but after a while I started to realise that it is both in mine and the club’s best interest for us to part ways,” Mbye said.
“It’s why I asked the club for permission to look around for next year. Me and my family are very fortunate to be in the situation we are financially. I can’t thank the club enough for that. But with that price tag comes expectation, and for whatever reason it wasn’t working out.
“I’m not too proud to admit that the club hasn’t got value for money out of me. The reality is the club can’t continue to disappoint the fans, and me leaving helps them start to change that. It gives me an opportunity at a fresh start, which is what I think is best for my footy. I am proud to have played for the Wests Tigers.”
Injuries and constant positional changes impacted Mbye’s form under Michael Maguire, who is on the hot seat after failing to elevate the Tigers into a top eight side. The former Origin star said he didn’t want to get in the way of the what the club is building.
“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.”
Saints officials floated getting Mbye to switch midseason but he will now join the club next year Jaydn Su’A, Francis Molo and George Burgess. He said he was open to playing multiple positions at the Dragons.
“During my time at the Bulldogs we had some great clashes with the Dragons and I got to see first hand the passion of their fans. I remember telling myself ‘that’s a club I’d love to play for’,” Mbye said.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!