Matt Dufty has been one of the rare shining lights in St George Illawarra Dragons’ season, but the club has reportedly told the fullback that he won't be offered a new contract for 2022.
Following reports, the 25-year-old hit back at the club last week, scoring two tries and handing out five try assists last week against the Brisbane Broncos. As a result, fans of the Red V are wondering why the club is desperate to move on the inform gun.
Dufty's big game prompted supporters to start a change.org petition (which already has over 11,200 signatures) to re-sign their star number one, but the Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Webster believes he's destined for a rival club next season.
“The only two real suitors are the Raiders and the Broncos but both of them are worried, why is he so unwanted?,” Webster said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“Canberra were told they could get him straight away,
“He was supposed to be meeting with Canberra this week and doing a tour of their facilities.
“They do see him potentially as a fullback with Nicoll-Klokstad to move in the centres.
“But now the Dragons are saying you can’t get him until the end of the year.
“So I don’t know where that ends up but Canberra seems like the likely destination.”
Webster said that he can’t see Dufty staying at the Dragons next season but is confused as to what the reason for his departure is.
“If you look at Anthony Griffin’s press conference after the Broncos game he was adamant that Matt Dufty wouldn’t be there next year,” he said.
“I can’t work out for the life of me what it is.
“Everyone keeps saying it’s not football, it has got to be something else.
“I feel sorry for Dufty because he’s had two coaches who don’t have faith in him.
“He’s been moved around in that back line over the last three years unbelievably.
“His football is very strong at the moment, I know he’s got a few lapses in him defensively
“I know his size has always been a bit of an issue, but the one thing that’s hard to get is speed, and he is lightning quick, he’s got great footwork.
“I would love to see him under a coach that really wants and appreciates him, because the last two, Paul McGregor and now Anthony Griffin don’t seem that keen on him."
Dufty will have the chance to impress potential clubs next Monday when the Canterbury Bulldogs host the St George Illawarra Dragons at Stadium Australia.
Listen to the full chat here: