I recently watched a reply of the 2001 match-up between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers.
The match featured a very young Ben Hornby and Mark Gasnier. Who’d have thought that both players would be instrumental in the 2010 premiership-winning team, with Ben Hornby forever writing himself into Dragons lore by saying the win was for the “true believers”.
The match also featured Nathan Blacklock scoring yet another hat trick of tries including an audacious solo kick and chase that won the game, followed by his customary somersault.
Before you rush to the comments section to disagree with me, I’m not suggesting that Cody Ramsey is in the same class as Nathan Blacklock. At least not yet anyway. But I was struck by their similarities. Both are a similar build, both are very fast and both are a little unorthodox.
The other thing that really stood out was how often Blacklock’s number two jersey turned up in the middle while the Dragons were on the attack. We all remember Blacklock’s roaming commission but in an era of structured rugby league, his ad lib playing style really stood out.
In retrospect, not enough has been said about Blacklock’s ball-playing skills. He really was an early prototype of the modern-day fullback.
This got me wondering, given the uncertainty around Matt Dufty’s future, could Cody Ramsey play a similar role to Blacklock in 2022?
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
At this stage with Dufty on the outer, Ramsey looks to be Anthony Griffin’s preferred fullback for 2022. Ramsey hasn’t shown any passing skills but neither had Darius Boyd before he wore the Red V.
Remember Boyd was a winger at Brisbane then went on to be the club’s best fullback since Graeme Langlands. Mick Potter also went pretty well. Plus I don’t remember Dufty having any ball-playing skills when he first played first grade. These skills take time to develop.
If Dufty does move on to another club, I’d assume Corey Norman will follow him. Without Dufty the Dragons will need a lot more production from the five-eighth position than Norman can offer.
The obvious heir apparent is Jayden Sullivan, who’s had an outstanding junior career but he’s unproven in first grade. Sure, he had a very good game against an under-strength Melbourne team in Round 20 in 2020 but a player can’t be judged by one game.
The point I’m trying to make here is that the Dragons will most likely field two inexperienced players in key positions in 2022: Ramsey at fullback and Sullivan at five-eighth.
Thankfully there’s plenty of experience at halfback and dummy half, but it’s a huge call to let Dufty walk given that Ramsey is so inexperienced at fullback.
Ramsey is more likely to play a roaming running game like Blacklock rather than be a ball player like Darius Boyd or Matt Dufty.
It’ll be interesting to see how it all turns out. After a full off-season Ramsey might be a revelation at fullback next year, but he’ll need to be. He’s got big shoes to fill.
This decision to let Dufty go is Anthony Griffin’s. He’s basically pinning his future on it. If he wants a contract extension next year, he’d better be right or he’ll find himself commentating on the radio again.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Anyone can learn to tackle but you can't learn to attack like Dufty.
George Lewis Costanza
Guest
Why is everyone going nuts over dufty. Handy player granted, but he put the sword to the team ranked 2nd last. If we played the storm or the panthers he would have had a mixed bag and probably cost us the game. There was 2, possibly 3 tries he cost us on Thursday. He wouldn’t peg back 3 tries against the storm. The amount of times this year he has simply humbled at the back and cost us points.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Ramsay reminds me of Jason Nightingale. Awkward gangly running style, makes easy catches look difficult and difficult catches look easy.
Pat
Guest
Ramsey is not even close being mentioned in the same sentence as Nathan Blacklock. Dragons are nuts for letting Duffy go to market.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
I loved that Tingha try to beat Tigers, they were down a point from memory and he chip and chased from his own half. Ramsay has neither the pace nor skill to match him, or the footy nous. On the fullback issue, Ramsay isn't overly fast, has no ball playing ability and is small. If you're small you need speed and skill like Dufty.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more, Beatties "no fault stand down" is an abomination and I only hope no other player is stood down. People say "but he was paid", that's not the point. Not only was he unable to do what he loved (playing), but his club was punished for 2.5 years through his absence. This includes his teammates, coaches and the fans. I am pleased the club stuck by him, and great to see him play on Thursday and play well, despite the ARLCs best efforts to end his career.
KenW
Roar Rookie
The standdown policy was created and challenged in court, with full understanding that the player may be found not guilty. That the charges were dropped against de Belin has zero impact on whether or not it's a good rule. By the way though, the law did not say JdB was innocent. It was never going to, that's not how things work. The best he could have gotten was a verdict of Not Guilty, which means that there was not enough evidence provided to the jury that he did the crime. de Belin didn't get that result though, in both trials the jury was hung - meaning between 2-10 of the 12 jurors heard all the evidence and were convinced he was guilty, while the remainder were not convinced. The charges were dropped due to the stalemate. He subsequently has every right to be accepted back into society with no penalty. But the legal system was never close to proclaiming him innocent.
Andrew
Roar Pro
If Ramsey plays a running style role in 2022 that might work out, roaming around the middle sniffing out offloads. Also looks like Jordan Pereira is off to Brisbane. First sign of us getting ride of some deadwood
Bunney
Roar Rookie
If he doesn't put his body on the line for less than 10 tackles per match, how will he fare when he has to make 20+ in the front line. Dufty is back three material only
Tony
Roar Guru
There'll only ever be one Nathan Blacklock I'm afraid.
Tony
Roar Guru
And often it's about how the coach instructs the player to play.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
yes tough considering how short a pro athletes career is, especially in RL.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Had another look. Nah. Can’t see any similarities between Blacklock and Ramsey whatsoever. I’ll try again next year. As for Dufty, he plays for both himself and Norman.
Greg
Roar Pro
Whilst i dont fully support the stand down rule what compensation do you believe he is entitled to? He was paid whilst stood down and recieved a contract extension, at an increased value at that.
Greg
Roar Pro
Anyone who watched Tedesco at the tigers knows he had exceptional ball playing skills long before he went to the roosters. Heck, he had them before he arrived at the tigers having played in the halves at St Gregorys. Just more opportunities to show case it at the roosters than tigers.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Dufty cannot play in the line. The opposition would run straight through him. He is a fullback only.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
N0rman t0 g0, Dufty at 6
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Cody has a way to go Andrew, but keep living the dream.
Short Memory
Guest
Huge call. Ramsey goes okay and has promise. But Blackrock was an out and out freak.
Phil
Roar Rookie
For the life of me, I can't see why Saints are getting rid of Dufty. The bloke showed what he is capable of, everyone could see it except Griffin, Millward and co. As for Ramsey, he hasn't established himself as a top shelf first grader yet and is suspect under the high ball so to take on the fullback role is a big ask. Keep him on the wing where he belongs and let him develop.