In a period of speculation before the Dragons signed Corey Norman and Gareth Widdop announced his 2020 departure to England, Matt Dufty is reported to have said in November that the Dragons’ staff had assured him he had the fullback spot locked down for the 2019 season.
Those assurances now appear to have been premature at best and Dufty’s current position at the Dragons remains unclear.
In 2018 Dufty’s speed in attack from fullback earned him a permanent position in the starting team in the season apart from one bench start in Round 24. With 26 appearances in all, injuries appeared to elude him and his attacking statistics were good, scoring 13 tries with nine line breaks and 16 tackle breaks.
Defence, however, is perceived by many as not being his forte and statistics this regard do not lie with only 109 tackles and vitally 39 missed tackles with a tackle efficiency of only 70.3%.
Dufty is signed with the Dragons until the end of 2019, but it is believed to not be a big-money contract and already the Cowboys and Sharks are rumoured to be interested in his services in 2019. The Dragons have been trying to get him to sign an extension of his contract until the end of 2021 as they see him as a long-term player, but Dufty has yet to commit and other clubs are still circling.
At this stage with 5/8 Widdop likely to move to fullback and Corey Norman the likely new 5/8, Dufty is left with no assurances that he will be playing NRL on a regular basis in 2019. Barring injury the only starting position likely to be available is on the wing, and if not that then Dufty may be considered as a bench back or he is back in ISP.
Dufty is believed to be unhappy with the options available to him and given past assurances which have proven false is believed unlikely to commit to a long-term contract with the Dragons at this stage.
With the trial matches fast approaching, and no announcement from coach Paul McGregor as to Dufty’s position there is a possibility that Dufty may sign a post-2019 deal with another club and then hope for an early release from his Dragons contract.
Personally, I cannot see Dufty simply spending the year in ISP in the hope or even on any assurances that the Dragons’ fullback position is his after Widdop’s departure in 2020.
This leaves Dragons coach Paul McGregor with either having to find Dufty an acceptable NRL position or it may be a case of the old saying that you cannot make a cake without breaking a few eggs, with Dufty being one of those eggs.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I would say (as an armchair coach) that the best start here is to keep Dufty at the back, Widdop in 5/8 and put Norman on the bench in Mann's role until he earns a starting spot. This way they can ease Norman in over time in the best capacity - not pre-empting - the outcome. It shows faith to Dufty and gives him a fair chance to cement his spot. It gives a solid start for the team with last year's halves before they tinker and Norman can cover all back spots as well as centre with Lulai covering forwards if help is needed there.
Ben
Roar Guru
Dufty - fullback Widdop - 5/8 Norman - centres. Let's be honest here, Norman will not take the Dragons to the next level, Widdop is in the top 5 of all NRL players, and Dufty is that "X" factor in attack, and too small to be a winger. I can also remember an exciting fullback that played for the Melbourne Storm for 15 years that had a little trouble in defence for the early part of his career... How did he turn out?... Long story short though, the roster and playing positions haven't been the problem at the Dragons for the last 5 or so years. Burning out has...
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
I can't see them moving Widdop from 6 . Why move your best playmaker ? Norman might get a crack at fullback but it's been so long since I've seen him play there - I can't remember if he was any good in that position . I see Norman as a very handy 14 that can cover plenty of positions . I reckon Dufty will start the season at fullback , as he probably deserves to .
Charles NSW
Guest
It is good to see you write articles for the Dragons Walter, keep up the good work! With the situation that McGregor is in with Widdop, Norman and Dufty he would be best to the do the following. Put Norman in as fullback, Widdop as 5/8 and Dufty as relief 1/2 back and 5/8 In this way we can groom Dufty in the halves, he already knows what McGregor wants and we can utilise his speed to our advantage.
Clanger McClunk
Guest
Saints should keep Dufty and use him as 1st grade fullback. He will have learnt a lot from last year and will be a better player for it. Every lightweight player has defensive weaknesses and Dufty is no exception. He is a potent attacking weapon with his acceleration having scored tries others wouldn't have. One he scored against Penrith I think it was, attacking the left side, he was between two defenders, they had him covered, and blitzed he them for pace. There was another against Cronulla where he beat them for pace and guile. An old boy I was talking to around that time said it was the sort of thing Reg Gasnier used to do, turn of speed and away. Widdop is untested as a long term fullback and Norman is, well, Norman.
Albo
Roar Rookie
It is a tough decision for the Dragons brains trust in trying to nail down their fullback spot both short term and long term. Dufty is a pretty handy attacking player but has some major defensive issues especially under the high ball. On the other hand you have experienced players like Widdop who is ready to bolt back to England or Norman who hasn't really been a reliable conveyance for much of his career. I suspect that they will opt for Widdop or Norman as fullback and five eighth, leaving Dufty in ISP this year ( barring injuries) or perhaps on the bench as an attacking option late in the game , a bit like they had used Kurt Mann ? The problem for Dufty looking for another club is that I am not sure there is a walk up start at fullback at any of the other clubs. Talk of the Cowboys and Sharks being interested surely must be only as a back up to the likes of Moylan or Morgan / Hampton ?
mudchooks
Roar Rookie
The bookies have them at $15 so clearly don’t share the same belief as some of the Sydney journos, would be interesting to know if they’re putting their money where their mouth is.
Paul
Roar Guru
Walter, surely this is simply an issue about communication. If the Dragons have plans for Dufty, they need to be honest and clearly spell out what role they have for him, both this year and in succeeding years. If he likes what he hears and the Dragons stick to what they've said, Dufty will stay. If he doesn't like what he hears, he'll go.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
On the other hand,it’s not Dufty who’s walking out on the club at the end of the year,if he’s regarded as the clubs long term fullback,then the club should start with the committed ones and let him prove his value..Widdop sits down.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
In one week both the Tele and SMH columnists had Saints as favorites , Andrew Webster and some one else. It was a month or so back.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
It's a bit of a stretch to say he's on the outer before th season has even started. He has some stiff competition for a spot, but we don't even know what Mary will do yet. It would be a shame to lose him which will probably happen if he's forced to play ISP
mudchooks
Roar Rookie
I can’t recall many (any?) articles that have recommended St George as title favourites. Despite that, I agree that if they have to upset Dufty then they should, they have nothing to gain and everything to lose by letting him go to another club for this season. If Widdop or Norman get injured and they’ve released him then their depth is thin. Dufty will need to suck it up and play where he’s told like Kurt Mann has been doing pretty much he’s entire career.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
A couple of writers have Saints as favorites to win the title in 19. If that means putting Dufty's nose out of joint then that's what they need to do. The Chooks put plenty of noses out of joint with the Cronk /Pearce situation but it's fish and chip wrapper now.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The Dragons are really desperate to keep Dufty but do not want to play him in 2019. If this was soccer, then the Dragons could lend Dufty to Cowboys for the year and he would be another year more experienced when they got him back.