Matt Dufty re-signs until end of 2019

[saintm]

Mann or Field

Field

 

[RufusRex]

not going to go overboard .. if he plays like he did last night teams will just hold off on him and then take him over the sideline ... needs to straighten earlier.

Good to see him taking the kick returns though

 

[BennyV]

not going to go overboard .. if he plays like he did last night teams will just hold off on him and then take him over the sideline ... needs to straighten earlier.

Good to see him taking the kick returns though

It’s the same as what Field was looking to do all last year - trying to run around players. It works in but up against the structured NRL defense, it’s a danger, especially for light guys like Dufty. He has more tricks in his bag, needs to employ them.

Funnily enough, Field looked to take the line on well in his brief stint.

 

[Smurf]

It’s the same as what Field was looking to do all last year - trying to run around players. It works in but up against the structured NRL defense, it’s a danger, especially for light guys like Dufty. He has more tricks in his bag, needs to employ them.

Funnily enough, Field looked to take the line on well in his brief stint.

Both Field and Dufty looked good

 

[gitano]

Worth a run on a fast dry track. Unsure if he's fully up to it yet.

 

[giboz71]

It’s the same as what Field was looking to do all last year - trying to run around players. It works in but up against the structured NRL defense, it’s a danger, especially for light guys like Dufty. He has more tricks in his bag, needs to employ them.

Funnily enough, Field looked to take the line on well in his brief stint.

At least Field and Dufty have the capability to run around players. More than u can say about some previous backline players.

Picking and choosing their moments will happen over time. But defences will have to cater for them and their speed which hopefully should open up other things.

Defences in previous years never had to worry about getting burned on the outside back which should change this year.

 

[BennyV]

At least Field and Dufty have the capability to run around players. More than u can say about some previous backline players.

Picking and choosing their moments will happen over time. But defences will have to cater for them and their speed which hopefully should open up other things.

Defences in previous years never had to worry about getting burned on the outside back which should change this year.

No doubt they will develop the instincts and idea of when/where to use their speed and back themselves. Just pointing out that for all the jizzfest in here, they’ve got some development to do.

I’m not going to go as far to say that we should be looking to buy a new fullback. I actually think Dufty will be a solid first grade fullback and will add to our attack this year. But he’s got a way to go.

And comparing them to past back lines is a low bar to set. Should be aiming higher.

 

[giboz71]

No doubt they will develop the instincts and idea of when/where to use their speed and back themselves. Just pointing out that for all the jizzfest in here, they’ve got some development to do.

I’m not going to go as far to say that we should be looking to buy a new fullback. I actually think Dufty will be a solid first grade fullback and will add to our attack this year. But he’s got a way to go.

And comparing them to past back lines is a low bar to set. Should be aiming higher.

Coaching will be critical. He's got the tools but if not developed properly, he could fall by the wayside. I'm not necessarily sold on Dufty as well due to his size, but he could surprise. Lomax is more likely your prototypical fullback.

Speed and the ability to set up wingers have already been on show in his limited appearances however so there is hope.

 

[Frank Facer]

If the unthinkable happened and Dufty was injured, who would replace him at fullback, Field, Widdop or Lomax?

My pick would be Lomax.

I would go Field. I think Dufty, Lomax and Field all look great young prospects. I would still be handing Lomax either the wing or centre position to start the season.

 

[BennyV]

Coaching will be critical. He's got the tools but if not developed properly, he could fall by the wayside. I'm not necessarily sold on Dufty as well due to his size, but he could surprise. Lomax is more likely your prototypical fullback.

Speed and the ability to set up wingers have already been on show in his limited appearances however so there is hope.

I'm not 100% convinced that Lomax will end up as a fullback, unless he moves there after a few years in order to make more money (or we move him there as an incentive to keep him). He's got got speed and strength and a good offload, but havent seen much ballskills from him at this point and I've got little-to-no confidence in our coaching structure to develop that (after the Dugan fiasco). I think he'd be better off in the centres long term.

 

[giboz71]

I'm not 100% convinced that Lomax will end up as a fullback, unless he moves there after a few years in order to make more money (or we move him there as an incentive to keep him). He's got got speed and strength and a good offload, but havent seen much ballskills from him at this point and I've got little-to-no confidence in our coaching structure to develop that (after the Dugan fiasco). I think he'd be better off in the centres long term.

He can go down the RTS path and spend his first few seasons at wing or centre. Get used to the rigours of FG and if he really is the freak he’s reported to be, we should try and convert him to that FB spot where he can do the most damage.

I agree, I have no confidence in the coaching staff to be able to do this. RTS had the advantage of Minichello as a mentor and Trent Robinson as a coach.

Ideally Dufty should make that FB spot his and Lomax can bide his time on the wing or centre. He’s only 18, plenty of time to work out where he best fits.

 

[BennyV]

There’s nothing wrong with a full career in the centres though. He can be just as damaging there if it’s where his skill set fits best.

 

[giboz71]

There’s nothing wrong with a full career in the centres though. He can be just as damaging there if it’s where his skill set fits best.

Well if you take the Dugan route, he wanted to be FB to maximise his pay check.

I’m guessing Lomax manager will be pushing him down the same path. If not here than at another club.

 

[possm]

Well if you take the Dugan route, he wanted to be FB to maximise his pay check.

I’m guessing Lomax manager will be pushing him down the same path. If not here than at another club.

My prediction is that Lomax will get a turn at fullback this year and once given the opportunity, members on here will see why I have great wraps on him. He has the size and skills we need in the fullback position and is a great goal kicker as well. I don't mind if he has to wait his turn but mark my words, once given the opportunity, he will shine and there will be no turning back.

 

[Frank Facer]

My prediction is that Lomax will get a turn at fullback this year and once given the opportunity, members on here will see why I have great wraps on him. He has the size and skills we need in the fullback position and is a great goal kicker as well. I don't mind if he has to wait his turn but mark my words, once given the opportunity, he will shine and there will be no turning back.

I too have previously said that I think Lomax is our best fullback prospect, our best centre prospect and our best winger prospect. I think we also have 2 other great fullback prospects in Dufty and Field. So I think Lomax will serve us best at centre for the time being, if given a shot. I like the idea of a centre pairing of Lomax and Marsters in 2 years time or so. I haven't seen Herbert, but if he can impress, I am not adverse to him being one of our centres in the future either.

I will also add that I think if Lomax is given a shot at wing, centre or fullback he will shine in any of those positions. I think centre may be his best position right now.

 

[blacksafake]

Let's just make Tom T an offer he can't refuse

 

[giboz71]

My prediction is that Lomax will get a turn at fullback this year and once given the opportunity, members on here will see why I have great wraps on him. He has the size and skills we need in the fullback position and is a great goal kicker as well. I don't mind if he has to wait his turn but mark my words, once given the opportunity, he will shine and there will be no turning back.

That’s the best case scenario.

Dufty shines at FB for the next 2 years with Lomax putting his hand later in his career while killing it at centre for the time being. Dufty is off contract end of next year, probably because they wanted to hedge their bets with Field and Lomax.

Let’s hope they all succeed, we can worry about who to keep later.

 

[Frank Facer]

Let's just make Tom T an offer he can't refuse

I heard/read that we actually did make Tom and Jake a massive package deal offer last year, but Manly moved fast and signed Tom and Jake up long term. I think Tom is one of the best fullbacks in the game and improving, but it will be extremely difficult to poach him from Manly. He has grown up on the Northern beaches, he plays with his brother and has his family and friends all there on the Northern Beaches. He probably was a Manly fan all his life and the rest of his family are probably all Manly fans. He lives in one of the best spots in Australia and probably doesn't want to move to Wollongong.

 

[blacksafake]

I heard/read that we actually did make Tom and Jake a massive package deal offer last year, but Manly moved fast and signed Tom and Jake up long term. I think Tom is one of the best fullbacks in the game and improving, but it will be extremely difficult to poach him from Manly. He has grown up on the Northern beaches, he plays with his brother and has his family and friends all there on the Northern Beaches. He probably was a Manly fan all his life and the rest of his family are probably all Manly fans. He lives in one of the best spots in Australia and probably doesn't want to move to Wollongong.

What a shame,would love them both.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I heard/read that we actually did make Tom and Jake a massive package deal offer last year, but Manly moved fast and signed Tom and Jake up long term. I think Tom is one of the best fullbacks in the game and improving, but it will be extremely difficult to poach him from Manly. He has grown up on the Northern beaches, he plays with his brother and has his family and friends all there on the Northern Beaches. He probably was a Manly fan all his life and the rest of his family are probably all Manly fans. He lives in one of the best spots in Australia and probably doesn't want to move to Wollongong.

Tom and Jake would have been fabulous, but for a third of the price i'd take Dufty and De Belin every day of the week.