The Dragons can't let Dufty go

Last season I examined Matt Dufty’s game in detail and my assessment has turned out to be pretty spot on.

The question was whether the Dragons could win a grand final with Dufty at the back. And the answer is that Anthony Griffin obviously thinks not.

There’s never been any doubt about Dufty’s attacking abilities. In the 2021 season so far, Dufty has been the Dragons’ most productive player, with eight tries and five try assists.

So why are the Dragons letting Dufty walk? It’s his defence, both tackling and under the high ball, his slight physical stature and his kick returns.

The decision to let Dufty go was so perplexing that the media started speculating that there must be off-field issues but this has been subsequently dismissed by Anthony Griffin.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Rather Anthony Griffin has stated that the decision was based on better players coming through the the system. He mentioned Cody Ramsey and Tyrell Sloan.

I also mentioned Ramsey in my article last year and Ramsey has since become a regular first grader and had been deputising at fullback while Dufty was injured.

Looking at the bigger picture, Dufty’s passing game was allowed to develop in the vacuum created by Corey Norman’s lack of production at five-eighth. In attack Dufty basically plays as a running five-eighth with Norman only taking over for last-tackle kicks. During Dufty’s injury, the Dragons have only averaged 16 points a game compared to 23 points a game with Dufty playing.

The decision not to offer Dufty a new contract must also signal the end of Corey Norman’s time at the Dragons. Like Dufty, Corey Norman is also out of contract in 2021 and he too has a couple of very talented youngsters nipping at his heels.

Talatau Amone was promoted to first grade straight from the SG Ball grand final and probably the most highly rated junior of them all Jayden Sullivan is still yet to play first grade this year due to hamstring injuries.

It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. Adam Clune seems to be out of favour with Corey Norman being preferred at five-eighth and with Jack Bird entrenched in the centres, Norman looks to be the preferred five-eighth for the remainder of 2021.

With Dufty making a return from injury in the must-win Round 13 match-up against Brisbane, the spine will revert to Dufty, Norman, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough but the team will look very different and younger in 2022.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The only certainties for 2022 are Ramsey, Zac Lomax, Mikaele Ravalawa and Hunt. Every other position is up for grabs.

Possible Dragons back line in 2022 
1. Cody Ramsey
2. Max Feagai/Mat Feagai
3. Jack Bird/Max Feagai
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jayden Sullivan/Talatau Amone/Jack Bird
7. Ben Hunt

The Dragons also have fringe outside backs Brayden Wiliame and Jordan Pereira out of contract and I’d expect neither of them will be retained. That money can be better spent elsewhere.

With Dufty, Norman, Pereira, Wiliame and probably Kaide Ellis all let go, there should be enough room in the salary cap to pick up one or two decent players plus upgrade some youngsters, such as Shalom O’Ofou, who is a big mobile middle forward, and James Schiller, who is a fast outside back.

In summation, looking ahead to 2022, the Dragons have Jack de Belin back, Francis Molo coming from the Cowboys, wiggle room in the salary cap and an outstanding crop of youngsters mainly from the 2019 Illawarra SG Ball premiership-winning team, so I’m optimistic about the Dragons’ chances next season and beyond.

But letting Matt Dufty go just isn’t sitting right. At the very least he could be kept and can play a role off the bench. I hope letting Dufty go doesn’t come back to haunt the Dragons down the road.