Matt Dufty says he’s made a conscious effort to get the low-percentage plays out of his game in a bid to become a far more consistent fullback.
Dufty was the star of St George Illawarra’s 26-10 win over Parramatta on Sunday night, putting the Dragons inside the top four with their fourth straight win.
The Dragons No.1 remains off contract at the club and wants to re-sign, with talks between his management and the Dragons slowly progressing.
But performances like Sunday night will only help.
The 25-year-old scored twice and set up the Dragons’ other two tries in the big win, joking afterwards he could be dropped for playing laterally under Anthony Griffin’s direct game style.
The majority of Griffin’s messages are, however, sinking in.
Dufty leads the Dragons for linebreaks, tries and tackle busts, but while still making less errors and missing 75 per cent fewer tackles on previous years.
“I’m not a black-and-white kind kind of player. I play in the grey,” Dufty said.
“But I’m not doing the the low-percentage plays I’d say, I don’t do that as much (compared to previous years).
“It’s not about those big plays for me this year. It’s about doing those little things right.
“Being in position to save tries, stuff like that. I’d rather do that than score 20 tries this year.”
Dufty has long maintained he can be among the NRL’s best fullbacks if he finds his consistency, having made no secret of the fact he is motivated by watching other No.1s star.
The step up in his ball-playing skills was notable last year, as he set up 15 tries in 18 games.
But this season he has made a deliberate effort to be more around the ruck under Griffin, with a far quicker contest going back to suiting his running game.
Sunday night was the first time he found a pure mix of the two in one of the best games of his career.
“I knew it was a big game (against Parramatta) and every other fullback has been carving up in the comp. So I thought I better step it up,” Dufty said.
“I’ve been around the ruck a lot more this year hanging around for those offloads or quick play-the-balls.
“I’m always hanging around begging for that little inside ball, that half break.
“That’s just the next evolution of my game, trying to mix last year’s ball-playing with this year’s around the ruck.
“I haven’t really got the opportunities to to ball play that much this year. But (on Sunday) I was lucky enough to get in the right spot, and they seek that effect.”
Carl
Guest
The Duffy and Zac are definitely the future for the dragons
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I wuld sign this guy fr 5 years ..... his upside is wrth far mre than his dwnside and with a decent cach the negatives get reduced
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Dufty is a dilemma for me. Love the way he chimes into the backline, and his cut out passes. But kick returns he just looks like a rag doll that will get thrown around. I don’t know his history- is he a better half back?
Tony
Roar Guru
Spoken like a prop forward
Dutski
Roar Guru
Every other fullback* *Except Walker who was dreadful
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Apparently there is another FB gun in the juniors coming through. Dragons have a really good batch of junior backs on the way up. The future halves, outside backs and FB all well covered. we really do not need to invest in more backs. Also not too much in the pack. Our lads are doing well, hope it stops with McGuire.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:unhappy:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
? He's starting on a 2 year deal. Already done.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Dylan Walker appreciates Dufty's comment about every other fullback in the comp carving up in the comp. Turbo will set up and score more tries this weekend in the 1st half than Manlys other fullbacks have in 5 rounds.
Paul
Roar Guru
a very enjoyable plan A if you're dishing it out, too.
Paul
Roar Guru
Is that you thinking positively Tony? :happy:
Paul
Roar Guru
I think it really comes down to communication Ken. Who ever is talking to Dufty needs to say ” we’re going to make a call on you contract after round 10. We’re happy to keep talking about details, but won’t make a decision till then”. No BS, just straight talking and making sure a deal is done once round 10 is done. As you say, the stupid games some Clubs play ( as well as some players) are so childish and unnecessary. The only winners from that are the Buzz Rothfields of the media circus I was also going to say, I’m not keen on Ramsey at fullback, unless he does a LOT of work on both his defence and kick management.
KenW
Roar Rookie
It's only wise to hold off if you have other options. Don't want the player calling your bluff just because you were playing games. I don't see any other options in the recruitment market, there's some better credentialed fullbacks around but none of them seem likely to pop up at the Dragons next year. Internally, perhaps they see Ramsey as the long term fullback (with the Feagai's coming through centre/wing). Pure speculation though, at the moment Dufty is far more developed than Ramsey.
kk
Roar Pro
Thought patterns of the Gasniers are becoming more frequent. At each appearance Zac releases showings of class and courage from a well that will serve his club for many seasons.
Tony
Roar Guru
Lomax played his best game ever the other night. His defence was outstanding.
Tony
Roar Guru
Should always be plan A
Tony
Roar Guru
Or McGuire
Tony
Roar Guru
Watch Milward stuff this up
Paul
Roar Guru
Fair enough, 10 rounds should be enough to get a pretty good idea how Dufty's going. I'd also have no issue with Norman getting signed before Dufty, as long as it was a 1 year deal, for considerably less than he's been getting. Norman's playing better footy than in previous seasons, but Dufty's the future, assuming he continues to improve
kk
Roar Pro
Each round, 272+ players present to strut their stuff in the NRL. The dashing Red V duo of Dufty and Lomax are now a 'must view' pleasure.