Michael Dobson (rugby league)

Michael Dobson
Dobson playing for the Knights in 2014.
Personal information
Nickname Dobbo,[1] Mick[2][3][4]
Born (1986-05-29) 29 May 1986
Junee, New South Wales, Australia
Height 177 cm (5 ft 10 in)[5]
Weight 83 kg (13 st 1 lb)[5]
Playing information
Position halfback, five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2006 Catalans 12 5 41 1 103
2006 Wigan Warriors 14 6 61 0 146
2007–08 Canberra 20 3 56 0 124
2008–13 Hull KR 153 53 534 12 1292
2014 Newcastle 6 0 0 0 0
2015– Salford 21 3 31 2 76
Total 226 70 723 15 1741
As of 12 February 2015
Source: Rugby League Project, Yesterday's Hero

Michael Dobson (born 29 May 1986) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Salford Red Devils of the Super League. He primarily plays halfback and five-eighth. In 2009, he won the prestigious Albert Goldthorpe Medal.

Background

Born in Junee, New South Wales, Dobson attended Erindale College and played his junior rugby league for the Junee Diesels, before being signed by the Canberra Raiders. In 2003 and 2004, Dobson played for the Australian Schoolboys team.[6]

Professional playing career

Catalans Dragons

In 2006, the Raiders loaned Dobson to French club Catalan Dragons of Super League as a replacement for injured halfback Stacey Jones.

Wigan Warriors

After impressing at the Dragons, Dobson attracted the attention of several other Super League clubs, subsequently being signed by the Wigan Warriors in May 2006. There was some controversy over Dobson's signing for Wigan. Under English law, Dobson was not permitted to play in England because he did not have a work permit. However, Wigan managed to obtain a work permit for him, albeit in controversial circumstances.[7] When Dobson signed for Wigan, they were at the bottom of the Super League table, 6 points behind the nearest team and heading towards relegation. Dobson's impact at Wigan helped the team survive relegation in the 2006 season.

In 2006, Dobson was statistically the best goal-kicker in the world with a success rate of 84%, equal to or better than St. Helens RLFC star Jamie Lyon, 81% and National Rugby League players Hazem El Masri, 84% and Andrew Johns, 80%.

Canberra Raiders

At the end of 2006, Dobson rejoined the Canberra Raiders. In 2007, Dobson was the club's leading point-scorer. In April 2008, Dobson signed a 2 1⁄2-year contract with the Hull Kingston Rovers effective immediately after being released from his Raiders contract.[8][9][10][11] He was also linked to Super League clubs Hull FC and Harlequins Rugby League.[12][13][14]

Hull Kingston Rovers

Dobson playing for Hull KR in 2010.

In 2009, Dobson helped the Rovers into fourth place in only their third Super League season. His individual performances saw him become the second winner of the Albert Goldthorpe Medal which is presented by Rugby Leaguer & League Express.[15]

Dobson started the 2010 season with a try and 5 goals in a 30-12 win over Salford City Reds.[16]

In 2013, Dobson played for the Exiles against England.[17] On 27 June 2013, Dobson signed a 1-year contract with the Newcastle Knights starting in 2013 to return to the National Rugby League in Australia.[18]

Newcastle Knights

Dobson started playing for the Knights in the 2014 NRL season. Dobson played for the Knights in the inaugural Auckland Nines series prior to the 2014 NRL season in February 2014. With an injury to Knights regular Jarrod Mullen, Dobson made his top-grade debut for the Knights in their 30-8 defeat by Penrith Panthers. Dobson made 25 tackles in the game, the third highest on the day for the Knights. Dobson also played against his former club Canberra Raiders (in a 20-26 defeat), Melbourne Storm (in a 28-20 defeat), Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (in a 30-0 victory), North Queensland Cowboys (in a 28-2 defeat) and Brisbane Broncos (in a 48-6 defeat).

On 21 September 2014, Dobson was named at halfback in the 2014 New South Wales Cup Team of the Year.[19]

Salford Red Devils

On 22 May 2014, it was reported that the Salford Red Devils of the Super League, had recruited Dobson for the 2015 season. In the match report following Salford's 4-25 defeat by the Wigan Warriors, it was reported "Salford will have re-inforcements next season with former Hull KR player Michael Dobson arriving from Australia after a far from happy time in the NRL."[20]

On 16 June 2014, Dobson officially signed a 4-year contract with the Red Devils starting in 2015.[21]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2120738/mullen-anoints-dobson-at-no6/
  2. ↑ http://www.therhinos.co.uk/rugby/matchcentre/10864.php#.Uc0K9flHIrU
  3. ↑ http://www.catalansdragons.com/index.php?article=2011-08-31_1385
  4. ↑ Laybourn, Ian (19 July 2008). "Dobson prepares for a fiery first derby in Hull". The Guardian (London).
  5. 1 2 "Michael Dobson Salford Red Devils". www.superleague.co.uk. Rugby Football League. 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  6. ↑ "SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". SportingPulse. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  7. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/23/rugbyleague.sport
  8. ↑ "Hull KR win race to sign Dobson". BBC. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
  9. ↑ "Dobson completes switch to Robins". BBC. 2008-05-07. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
  10. ↑ "Dobson Dobson set to make Hull KR debut". BBC. 2008-05-22. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  11. ↑ "Rovers in pole position for Dobson". Sportinglife. 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  12. ↑ "Hull close in on Dobson signing". BBC. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  13. ↑ "Quick release on cards for Noddy". Fox Sports. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  14. ↑ "Sharp eyes up Dobson". Sky Sports. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  15. ↑ "The Albert Goldthorpe Awards". totalrl.com. League Publications. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  16. ↑ http://rleague.com/players/Michael-Dobson_809/Matches/
  17. ↑ http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/international-origin-2013/game-1/england-vs-exiles/summary.html
  18. ↑ http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Knights-sign-Michael-Dobson/78161
  19. ↑ http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2014/09/21/_2014_vb_nsw_cup_team_of_the_year.html
  20. ↑ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/salford-red-devils-4-wigan-7161101
  21. ↑ http://www.thereddevils.net/news/rugby-news/red-devils-capture-dobson-on-long-term-deal/

External links

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