Search

show me:

Dufty a triple threat for rebuilt Dragons

3 minute read

Originally known for his pace, Matt Dufty has relished the chance to create for St George Illawarra since being reinstated at fullback this NRL season.

MATTHEW DUFTY of the Dragons.
MATTHEW DUFTY of the Dragons. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Matt Dufty will tell you he's always been able to pass.

It's just that St George Illawarra's structure never quite allowed the lightning-fast fullback to show it in the NRL until now.

Carving out a reputation as an out-and-out speedster on his NRL arrival, the Dragons No.1 is now showing there's more to his game since being reinstated at the back midway through the season.

Getting the ball earlier and in space is allowing the 24-year-old to do things like his three-man cut-out pass on Friday night to set up Mikaele Ravalawa in their 28-24 defeat of Brisbane.

"I love being in that situation; it brings out all three options because you can run, pass or kick," Dufty said of his increased ball-playing duties.

"Everyone always did video on my running game and in the NRL once you're doing something well it gets shut down pretty quick.

"When I got put back into the team we changed it around to footy that suits me.

"I've always been able to pass, it just hasn't been in our attacking structure as much."

The win was the Dragons' second straight after their impressive defeat of Parramatta last week but at 6-9, and still two wins outside the top eight, they are at long odds to play finals.

Stand-in coach Dean Young said that wasn't the side's driving force, though.

"I want to know what we're going to get from the Dragons every week .. at the moment we don't and that's the truth of it," he said.

"We are a long, long way off from being as good as the top sides and I've told them that."

Meanwhile, the Dragons will wait on news regarding Korbin Sims' fitness after the forward limped off with an apparent calf injury in the final stages of Friday's game.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au