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Opinion

Matt Dufty to halfback for the Dragons?

Roar Pro
5th July, 2020
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Roar Pro
5th July, 2020
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After another loss that anchors the Dragons to the bottom of the table with two wins from eight games, and coach Paul McGregor looking out of ideas, I have a suggestion.

After watching former Dragon Jai Field star for the Eels at halfback, I had a thought: why not give Matt Dufty a chance at halfback?

Field and Dufty are both similar players and playing in the halves would give Dufty more touches and allow him to use his running game.

Dragons fullback Matt Dufty.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Corey Norman is reluctant to run the ball, rather he’s happy passing well before the line, so it would definitely offer some variation.

With Ben Hunt indefinitely benched, the Dragons need a long-term option at halfback.

Adam Clune is solid but he lacks any kind of X-factor.

Dufty’s form has been a bright spot in what has otherwise been a bleak 2020 season so far.

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Dufty’s main weakness at fullback is his lack of size. He does get manhandled in kick returns and is vulnerable in one-on-one defence. Canberra’s Nick Cotric ran right over the top of Dufty on Friday night.

Tristan Sailor can slide straight into the fullback position and few would argue that he doesn’t deserve a chance. Sailor is off contact at the end of 2020 so the Dragons need to decide what to do with him.

Why not give him a chance and see what he can do?

Posing these questions does make you wonder why the Dragons went out and overspent on Ben Hunt when there were local juniors Field, Clune and Dufty at the club.

Jack Bird and Jackson Hastings are other noteworthy halves that played juniors for the Dragons.

Is Ben Hunt the worst buy in the history of the game?

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