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St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has indicated unsigned fullback Matt Dufty will get his No.1 jersey back after injury, despite Tyrell Sloan's debut.
St George Illawarra will return Matt Dufty to fullback after the NRL's general bye, despite star-of-the-future Tyrell Sloan's impressive debut.
Dufty missed Saturday night's 22-20 win over Canberra with a shoulder injury, missing a golden opportunity against one of his potential suitors for next year.
Sloan, meanwhile, is considered one of the leading contenders to take the off-contract Dufty's No.1 jersey at the Dragons next year.
The 19-year-old scored a second-half try that was as crucial as it was spectacular against the Raiders, and he also got the job done in defence.
But while Dufty is unwanted at the club for next year, they remain in the top-eight this season and still believe he is their man for now.
"I think Dufty will be right in a couple of weeks," coach Anthony Griffin responded when asked if Sloan would keep his spot.
"We've got the week off, everyone does.
"We get him back and a few troops back now with (Zac) Lomax, (Josh) McGuire and (Tyrell) Fuimaono.
"It's been a tough five weeks, but we ground out some tough wins which is what we needed to do.
"We'll worry about who is in the team after that."
That's not to say the Dragons weren't impressed with the 19-year-old Sloan at WIN Stadium.
His try brought the Dragons back within four during the second half when he chipped for Corey Norman and backed up his five-eighth to cross from one of his limited touches.
He also made just the one handling error on a gusty night in Wollongong, while not missing any tackles in defence.
"Terrible night for fullbacks. I don't think he did much wrong," Griffin said.
"He scored his try, had some nice touches in attack.
"And he was unlucky not to score another on that kick chase and he loomed up underneath Ben Hunt for Beale's try.
"He knows how to put himself in position. He has that class, it's just a matter of education now and toughness."
