Michael Dobson (rugby league)

Michael Dobson (born 29 May 1986) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup. He primarily plays halfback and five-eighth. In 2009, he won the prestigious Albert Goldthorpe Medal.

For other people with the same name, see Michael Dobson.

Michael Dobson
Personal information
Born (1986-05-29) 29 May 1986
Junee, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Weight83 kg (13 st 1 lb)[1]
PositionHalfback, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2006 Catalans Dragons 12 5 41 1 103
2006 Wigan Warriors 14 6 61 0 146
2007–08 Canberra Raiders 20 3 56 0 124
2008–13 Hull Kingston Rovers 153 53 534 12 1292
2014 Newcastle Knights 6 0 0 0 0
2015–17 Salford Red Devils 80 16 118 2 302
Total 285 83 810 15 1967
Source: [2][3][4]

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.[5]

Professional playing career

Catalans Dragons

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

Wigan Warriors

After impressing at the Catalans 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 the Wigan Warriors. Under English law, Dobson was not permitted to play in England because he did not have a work permit. However, the Wigan Warriors managed to obtain a work permit for him, albeit in controversial circumstances.[6] When Dobson signed for the Wigan Warriors, they were at the bottom of the Super League table, 6-points behind the nearest team and heading towards relegation. Dobson's impact at the Wigan Warriors 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' Jamie Lyon, 81% and National Rugby League players Hazem El Masri, 84% and Andrew Johns, 80%.

Dobson playing for Hull Kingston Rovers in 2010.
Dobson playing for the Knights in 2014

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.[7][8][9][10] He was also linked to Super League clubs Hull F.C. and Harlequins RL.[11][12][13]

Hull Kingston Rovers

In 2009, Dobson helped the Hull Kingston 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.[14]

Dobson started the 2010 season with a try and five goals in a 30–12 win over Salford City Reds.[15]

In 2013, Dobson played for the Exiles against England.[16] On 27 June 2013, Dobson signed a one-year contract with the Newcastle Knights starting in 2013 to return to the National Rugby League in Australia.[17]

Newcastle Knights

Dobson started playing for Newcastle 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 the Newcastle Knights regular Jarrod Mullen, Dobson made his top-grade début for Newcastle in their 30–8 defeat by Penrith Panthers. Dobson made 25 tackles in the game, the third highest on the day for the Newcastle club. 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 NSW Cup Team of the Year.[18]

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 Kingston Rovers player Michael Dobson arriving from Australia after a far from happy time in the NRL."[19]

On 16 June 2014, Dobson officially signed a four-year contract with the Salford club starting in 2015.[20]

References
  1. "Michael Dobson Salford Red Devils". superleague.co.uk. Rugby Football League. 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  2. "Players". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  3. "Michael Dobson – Playing Career – Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  4. "yesterdayshero Resources and Information". ww16.yesterdayshero.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012.
  5. "SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". SportingPulse. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  6. "Rugby league: Desperate Wigan chase work permit for Dobson". The Guardian. 23 May 2006.
  7. "Hull KR win race to sign Dobson". BBC. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  8. "Dobson completes switch to Robins". BBC. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  9. "Dobson Dobson set to make Hull KR debut". BBC. 22 May 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
  10. "Rovers in pole position for Dobson". Sportinglife. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2008.
  11. "Hull close in on Dobson signing". BBC. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  12. "Quick release on cards for Noddy". Fox Sports. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  13. "Sharp eyes up Dobson". Sky Sports. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  14. "The Albert Goldthorpe Awards". totalrl.com. League Publications. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  15. "Michael Dobson player results, scores, news and statistics". Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  16. "International Origin 2013 Series – Game – England 30 def. Exiles 10". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  17. "Knights sign Michael Dobson – Newcastle Knights". Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  18. "2014 VB NSW Cup Team of the Year – NSWRL". Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  19. "Salford Red Devils 4 Wigan Warriors 25". 22 May 2014.
  20. "Red Devils Capture Dobson on Long-Term Deal | the Red Devils RLFC". Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
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