Canterbury playmaker Moses Mbye has sat out the Bulldogs’ final NRL trial against Melbourne on Saturday night at Belmore Sportsground.

Mbye was a late withdrawal with a gluteal strain, but he is not considered in doubt for the Bulldogs’ season opener against Manly on Friday March 4 at Brookvale Oval.

Bulldogs officials said Mbye would have played if the match was a regular-season fixture.

Matt Frawley joined Josh Reynolds in the Dogs’ halves for the match.

Star Bulldogs recruit Will Hopoate remains in doubt for round one, due to a knee injury. Hopoate also sat out the Dogs’ final trial match.

He was spotted at Belmore Sportsground and appeared to still be in some discomfort due to the injury.