'Tremendous honour': Mbye to captain Tigers in 2019
Michael Maguire has made his first big call at Wests Tigers, appointing Moses Mbye as his captain for 2019.
Maguire had plenty of experienced players to choose from including Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall, Chris Lawrence, Russell Packer, Elijah Taylor and Luke Brooks. However, the premiership-winning coach decided to bestow 25-year-old Mbye with the honour.
“Being named captain today is one of the proudest moments of my career,” Mbye said.
“Growing up, it was a dream of mine to play one game in the NRL, so I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the career I have so far. I feel privileged to captain a club with history as rich as Wests Tigers and to be recognised in this way by my teammates and coaches is truly humbling.
“The history of this club means so much to me when I think about players like Wayne Pearce, Tommy Raudonikis and Benji Marshall and all that have had success here.
"Knowing this makes putting on the Wests Tigers jersey mean more to me than just playing a game and I know this group is focused on adding another successful chapter to the history of the club.
“On and off the field, Wests Tigers have taken huge steps forward in recent years and I am thrilled to be part of the exciting future that is ahead. To help lead this team forward is a tremendous honour and something I am incredibly excited about.”
Maguire has previously used a co-captaincy model with success, but decided the former Bulldog was the man to lead the joint-venture club into the future.
“To captain a club with the shared history of Wests Tigers is a tremendous privilege and we are equally confident and proud to have him lead us in 2019,” Maguire said.
“Moses is incredibly well respected by his teammates and carries himself extremely well both on and off the field.
“He is a great role model for all young players in the game and is more than capable of leading us forward in to an exciting time in Wests Tigers history.
“I’d also like to acknowledge and congratulate Benji, Robbie, Chris, Russell, Luke and Elijah on their appointment to our leadership group.
“Their experience and leadership qualities are a tremendous asset to our team and it’s pleasing to recognise the key role that they will play alongside Moses as leaders in 2019.
“Every person in this team has an important contribution to make this year as leaders — on and off the field — and we’re excited to move ahead with the group that we have.”