ASK a Bulldogs fan to identify a shining light in what is becoming another dark season for the proud club and Moses Mbye’s name would come up more than most.

After struggling in an attacking structure that suffocated its playmakers in Des Hasler’s last season, Mbye was the player asked to give up the most, shifting out of the No.7 jersey to make way for big name recruit Kieran Foran as he learned a new craft at fullback.

Not only did he take the job on with enthusiasm he has become one of the most dangerous running fullbacks in the game, revitalising his side’s attack even amid their struggles to get results.

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Round 20

So it should come as no surprise that reports Mbye is being shopped around to other clubs has been met with outrage by the vocal Bulldogs fanbase.

No one doubts Canterbury’s salary cap situation is dire, with the club clearly needing to shed some players to be cap compliant for 2019.

However, there are many other players on good money that the fans would rather see the back of than Mbye.

Injured Panthers young gun Nathan Cleary discusses his club’s health crisis. The Market Watch team also talk about Cleary’s Origin claims, the how the Bulldogs are in dire straits.

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Sadly for the 24-year-old Queenslander, his outstanding form might be the very reason the Bulldogs are forced to shift him, according to senior News Corp journalist Paul Kent.

Speaking on Sunday Night with Matty Johns, Kent revealed that Mbye was on a salary of “about 900,000-a-year” and that other clubs would be willing to pay the majority of that to take him off Canterbury’s hands.

The likes of Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran on the other hand would be more difficult to shift without paying a significant amount of freight because neither are performing at a level that’s close to meeting their price tag.

Moses Mbye has been superb at fullback this season. Source: News Corp Australia

“It’s an interesting one because a lot of Canterbury people say ‘why would you get rid of Moses Mbye?’ but Canterbury are in a position where they have to offload,” Kent said.

“There’s going to be a forum next week where the new board’s going to have to talk to the members and despite making a promise, which actually helped them get elected, that they would never pay a player to play at another club, it looks like they’re going to have to do that.

“Now they can’t just throw up anyone or a player of no value that Canterbury fans would be happy to lose because other clubs don’t want to buy that player.

“He’s rumoured to be on about $900,000 a year. That’s going to create some salary cap room OK.

“Second to that you are going to get some clubs who are interested as long as Canterbury pay some of the freight.”

The Morris twins are likely playing their last season for the Bulldogs. Source: AAP

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the supporters, particularly with the Morris brothers and Greg Eastwood all on big money and all set to depart at the end of the season as they come off contract.

However, the salary cap mess is a legacy of Hasler’s roster building philosophy that involved back-ended contracts, with CEO Raelene Castle and a board led by Ray Dib allowing the highly regarded coach to have his way in the pursuit of a quick premiership.

The gamble didn’t pay off and it’s unlikely the club has hit rock bottom.

In another slap in the face, Kent also revealed that the Bulldogs were currently paying “more than half” of James Graham’s contract at the Dragons, who are flying high at the top of the table.

James Graham has been loving life at the Dragons. Source: AAP

Still, Gorden Tallis said if he was in Canterbury’s shoes he would rather pay more freight to get rid of another player than ship the talented Mbye.

“I’d put them all on notice and the one who’s not playing the best, who cares, get rid of them,” Tallis said.

“Because you want to have a winning culture, you don’t get rid of your best player.

“Get rid of your highest paid player that’s not playing good, simple as that, because you want to start winning games.”

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