MATT DUFTY v the doomsday brigade

[Dragon Revival]

We definitely need Dufty and Mann in the team as our backline attack is otherwise inferior. These two guys are
exciting to watch. If Hunt can improve our backline by say 20% we could make the Top 8.

 

[giboz71]

Well we dont really have a choice either way. This is the direction the club has takrn. Time will tell if its the right one

Ideally it would have been good to have another option to solve a couple of gaps in the backline. Hence I pushed hard for someone like Johnstone or Gagai to either replace Nighty or Nene on the wing, or play FB if Dufty faltered.

I was hoping we could have used the Dugan money for this purpose, unless the club has another option in mind.

 

[ouryear]

Ideally it would have been good to have another option to solve a couple of gaps in the backline. Hence I pushed hard for someone like Johnstone or Gagai to either replace Nighty or Nene on the wing, or play FB if Dufty faltered.

I was hoping we could have used the Dugan money for this purpose, unless the club has another option in mind.

You are right, where has Dugans money gone?

Packers money to James Graham.

Salary cap increase pays for Hunt?

Dugan's money....?

Clubs have to spend their salary cap, or at least most of it, so let's wonder hey

 

[latemail]

Dufty will be a gun
He’s only started his time at fullback in grade
He’s played with a shit half and a f**ked coach and two slow wingers
he’s got lots of natural lmprovenent
And he has something called ability if he was playing at Melbourne or the Bronx he would be a lot more exposed to what he is now and would probably be demanding more coin just like ponga

 

[ouryear]

Dufty will be a gun
He’s only started his time at fullback in grade
He’s played with a shit half and a f**ked coach and two slow wingers
he’s got lots of natural lmprovenent
And he has something called ability if he was playing at Melbourne or the Bronx he would be a lot more exposed to what he is now and would probably be demanding more coin just like ponga

His attack will be fine.
Needs to find the strength and courage to defend as well.

 

[Carlton]

His attack will be fine.
Needs to find the strength and courage to defend as well.

Dufty has some good attacking skills in the lower grades. I do not think he was as brilliant in attack in first grade as some others do. He has potential and may live up to the hype but he has a way to go.

The second man plays did not look any better with Dufty than they did with Dugan, he died with the ball as well. I think the issue is further in field and if this doesn't get sorted then an attacking fullback will not find the space they need. I don't think it matters if you have a nippy ball playing fullback or you have a big hard running one. Its about having the right game plan to accommodate their style and the half and 5/8 who can execute.

Fingers crossed it all gels, we have skills, we have potential but there is a disconnect with the teams attack that may or may not be resolved.

 

[blacksafake]

Dufty has some good attacking skills in the lower grades. I do not think he was as brilliant in attack in first grade as some others do. He has potential and may live up to the hype but he has a way to go.

The second man plays did not look any better with Dufty than they did with Dugan, he died with the ball as well. I think the issue is further in field and if this doesn't get sorted then an attacking fullback will not find the space they need. I don't think it matters if you have a nippy ball playing fullback or you have a big hard running one. Its about having the right game plan to accommodate their style and the half and 5/8 who can execute.

Fingers crossed it all gels, we have skills, we have potential but there is a disconnect with the teams attack that may or may not be resolved.

Well said

 

[getsmarty]

Player Season Review: Matt Dufty
Sat 28th October, 11:00AM
A A



St George Illawarra livewire Matt Dufty was one of four local juniors to make his NRL debuts for the Dragons in 2017.

Coming into the first grade fold in Round 20 against the Sea Eagles, Dufty held on to the No. 1 jumper for the remainder of the season ahead of Josh Dugan who was shifted to the centres.

• http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/10/28/player_season_review.html

 

[giboz71]

You are right, where has Dugans money gone?

Packers money to James Graham.

Salary cap increase pays for Hunt?

Dugan's money....?

Clubs have to spend their salary cap, or at least most of it, so let's wonder hey

Some of it would have been used to upgrade Lafai and Mann but given we were willing to offer Dugan close to $750k, I would have thought someone like Gagai and Johnstone would not have been out of the question.

 

[epDragon62]

Dufty had a handful of games and in that time he showed improvements in defensive positioning, on field talk and looked ok under the high ball. He needs to work on his passing game and positioning in attack to develop as a 2nd 5/8 option. The good thing is this can be coached into him(coaching quality aside). One thing he has, which you can’t coach is, SPEED. And don’t we need it.

Yes he should work on it but he is starting from a pretty good base - he can throw some sweet passes.

 

[ouryear]

Some of it would have been used to upgrade Lafai and Mann but given we were willing to offer Dugan close to $750k, I would have thought someone like Gagai and Johnstone would not have been out of the question.

Definitely, we also released Milne and others who were on our cap, so yes, there should be up to 750k left considering the cap also went up.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

It's weird that s lot of people were calling for him to get a run in first grade.
Now there a lot of people saying he should not be in first grade.
He will need time to develop in the full back spot.
McIdiot is not using him correctly on kick returns.
I read somewhere that a full back passing to a winger results in a loss of 10 yards because it allows the opposition more time to chase the kick.
I hope Dufty makes it but he needs the chance

"McIdiot isn't using him correctly on kick returns".

Bingo.

This incompetence effectively killed off Adam Quinlan's NRL career.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

There's a lot to like about Dufty. In his performances so far, I have been impressed by his maturity in holding back on individualism, which highlighted his play in the lower grades.

However, where there have been positives, there have been some negative aspects too. These include insufficient one-one-one defence, passing on kick returns, and failing to contest 'bombs'.

As a result, I'll be very surprised if he lasts the season in first grade.

 

[Dragon Revival]

I would not be surprised if the Storm made another offer to Dufty in 2018/2019 to replace Slater when that time comes. Bellamy is not backward in giving promising players a go in the NRL Hopefully we will lock Dufty up and prevent this from eventuating.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Ponga is also two years younger than Dufty and he's going to get bigger. Anyway, there is no comparison. Ponga has been one of the most highly sought after young players in the game for a number of years. Dufty has talent and is intriguing enough but clubs aren't lining up to sign him. Like I said, next year is make or break.

Incorrect Melbourne was after him when he was 18 and also the warriors tried to get him.last year .

 

[Como Connection]

Incorrect Melbourne was after him when he was 18 and also the warriors tried to get him.last year .

Also Penrith.
CC

 

[Dragon Revival]

Storm also spoke to Dufty in 2016.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Incorrect Melbourne was after him when he was 18 and also the warriors tried to get him.last year .

I just wish some of you doubters give him a chance if he's not good enough THE BIG RED V will chew him up and spit him out .so let's SEE

 

[possm]

From what I understand the majority of Dufty doubters are concerned with the fact that Dufty was passing the ball to Macdonald rather than returning the kicks by running himself. You can put your money on the fact that Mary would have instructed Dufty to do this. And I'm sure Mary only had Dufty's welfare at heart in doing this. So I'd say hold off on this criticism until a few games into the 2018 season. I'm sure Dufty will build up in the off-season and the coach should then have more confidence in him returning the ball himself.

We have young juniors with speed who can fill the right centre and wing positions. Mann has speed and elusiveness and should own the left wing position in 2018. So that leaves Nightingale, Macdonald, Aitken and a few juniors to fight it out for the right wing and right centre positions - with Nightingale and Aitken probably starting the season oin first grade in 2018.

In my opinion the Dragons should still have about 500k left in the kitty and with the possible early exit of Thompson and Macdonald, there should be enough in our cap to pick up a prop like Wamsley and maybe a top outside back/fullback. This would bring our squad to a top 8 and possibly a top 4 side. With a new coach, it would bring us to a top 4 and possibly a GF contender.

 

[saintm]

I just wish some of you doubters give him a chance if he's not good enough THE BIG RED V will chew him up and spit him out .so let's SEE

100% Agree ... Just give him ago next season. I believe he is going to kill it next year with Hunt given him good ball out the back.