St George Illawarra rookie sensation Matt Dufty knocked back Warriors to chase fullback spot at Dragons
MATT LOGUE, The Daily Telegraph
July 28, 2017 5:30pm
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IF IT wasn’t for loyalty and Josh Dugan’s impending departure, St George Illawarra rookie sensation Matt Dufty would have been playing for the New Zealand Warriors.
The Saturday Telegraph can reveal the Warriors expressed interest in signing Dufty last season while he was carving up the under 20s ranks.
Dufty knocked back the move to Auckland to remain close to his family.
The Penshurst junior was also told Dugan would most likely leave the club, opening a pathway for him to play fullback in the future.
Dufty was rewarded for his patience and hard work last Sunday when he made his NRL debut in
the big win over Manly in Wollongong.
The Hurstville-born talent scored a try, set up two others and ran for 188 metres.
It’s the type of performance that justifies Dufty’s decision to remain at the club, according to his manager Clinton Schifcofske.
“The Warriors showed some interest in Matty last year, but it was a big call for a kid that age to go to New Zealand,” said Schifcofske, who played 234 NRL games primarily at fullback for the South Queensland Crushers, Parramatta and Canberra.
Dufty was superb on debut last week for the Dragons.
“He had a think about it, but being a local junior he wanted to stay. Matty and I sat down and went through the clubs one to 16.
“Dugan was still at the club then, but the indications were that he was probably going to leave. Matty was just looking for an opportunity and that is what has presented itself.”
Dufty looked right at home against Sea Eagles players much bigger, older and more experienced.
If the 81kg speed demon can maintain his high standards in the coming rounds, he could also receive a significant financial boost.
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The 21-year-old is on a second-tier deal worth approximately $50,000, including match payments for each NRL appearance.
He is contracted at the Dragons until the end of 2018, but Schifcofske says his goal is to sign a long-term deal.
“If Matty keeps playing well in the next three or four weeks, we’ll look to get him extended,” he said.
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“He has played one game of first grade, but I’m sure they will want to keep him.
“He is happy there. Matty is a really good kid. He has had to work hard and he hasn’t had the cushy ride.
“He had to go the long way, because he was never the superstar as a kid. But he has stayed patient and kept his bum down and his head up to work towards his goal.”
