Why Dufty has to play fullback Dragons in 2017...

[Slippery Morris]

I would give Dufty his first run in a game against the bottom of the table side. Hang on a minute that could be us. Nah, hopefully against someone like Newcastle (hope we play them early that is). Putting him in against a side like the Storm or Dogs where they will make life difficult will dampen his confidence.

 

[Dragsters]

Agreed Doc.

I don't think it's a realistic or responsible option to play him there from round 1.

Maybe round 7 once Mary is gone!

Half a dozen games in the Cutters should be enough.

 

[BringTheNoise]

I would give Dufty his first run in a game against the bottom of the table side. Hang on a minute that could be us. Nah, hopefully against someone like Newcastle (hope we play them early that is). Putting him in against a side like the Storm or Dogs where they will make life difficult will dampen his confidence.

Newcastle will be a much improved outfit next year. More so than us I can assure you.

 

[Joey_dragons]

if dufty plays at fullback and we sign lolohea that's a big if, this is my side ill like to have for round one

1.dufty
2.McDonald
3.Aitken
4.milne
5.mann
6.lolohea
7.widdop
8.packer
9.mcinnes
10.Vaughan
11.thomson (and captain)
12.frizzell
13.dugan

14.mccrone
15.sims
16.mose
17.leilua

jdb, ah mau, kerr have to earn there spots
and I love flo but its time to hang the boots

 

[BringTheNoise]

13.dugan

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

although the style of play that McGregor, JD, Hornby and Duges played from fullback was frustrating and when Duges tried to do a little playmaking late in the season it was embarrassing..... he still might be able to make it happen.........Duges that is

we need to start with him at FB and see how he evolves

second reason though allow Dufty a little more time in Cutters to be really ready

if Dufty can dominate and build another level of confidence and ability to handle being put into the corners and having to get the ball out then god i hope he is the answer

we can not burn Dufty with a first game of the season ....... Mann didn't handle the pressure well first two games although he did some good stuff as well i.e. that cut out ball to the left was awesome for the first try!


he does remind a little of Billy Slater at the same age though

a weapon in attack

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Please No ! Milne is our most exciting centre prospect in many years and may be an important part of our salvation if there is to be one. Have you seen what Milne can do with early ball ? Duges on the other hand can run like a 2nd rower and that's about it - that's what he does, he's a powerful, reasonably fast second rower who plays fullback. Great defender on the line too and has to be in the team but sometimes I wonder where to play him in the backline ahead of other candidates such as Mann, Milne, Aitken and soon Dufty.
On Dufty, he's another exciting prospect and I can't wait to see him get a run in Firsts.

That's why Dugan is playing centre for Australia and New South Wales right?
Come on dude that's a MASSIVE over exaggeration. He busts more tackles than most players in the comp, he's so evasive.

 

[giboz71]

I find it amusing that for the 2nd year in a row, we're trying to move our marquis and most expensive player out of his preferred position. First, by an untried, part time centre (Mann). now a 20 year old rookie (Dufty).

My take on this is, if Dugan isn't FB, he (and his paycheck) should be moved on.

 

[Uplifting]

I find it amusing that for the 2nd year in a row, we're trying to move our marquis and most expensive player out of his preferred position. First, by an untried, part time centre (Mann). now a 20 year old rookie (Dufty).

My take on this is, if Dugan isn't FB, he (and his paycheck) should be moved on.

Point taken. I just wanted to add that Duges played (arguably) his best FG footy in his 20+ but today giving a 20 yr old fast, creative try scoring fullback the FG job, is as hard as giving a 70 year old straight talking, business man who actually knows something about the economy the US presidency. Couldn't possibly be a good idea.

 

[Mr Red]

Anyone watch the test match the other day?? If so, there should be no more talk about Dugan at centre....

 

[Dragonslayer]

Anyone watch the test match the other day?? If so, there should be no more talk about Dugan at centre....

I thought defensively Duges was strong, however, in attack he looked like a duck (no offense Duck) with one leg.

 

[Mr Red]

I thought defensively Duges was strong, however, in attack he looked like a duck (no offense Duck) with one leg.

Agree , however the kiwis didn't really test him in defence either.. They didn't really run any plays at all, let alone plays on his edge where he was forced to make any defensive reads or decisions....
Last test match earlier in the year he was tested a bit more defensively and made several errors in judgment and bad reads which a specialist right centre may not have made.

 

[BennyV]

Agree , however the kiwis didn't really test him in defence either.. They didn't really run any plays at all, let alone plays on his edge where he was forced to make any defensive reads or decisions....
Last test match earlier in the year he was tested a bit more defensively and made several errors in judgment and bad reads which a specialist right centre may not have made.

He was on the wing in the ANZAC test

 

[Mr Red]

He was on the wing in the ANZAC test

Thanks Benny , that's right... No wonder he made so many bad defensive reads.
I remember he was pretty average...

 

[Uplifting]

If Duges remains at fullback for the time being then maybe Dufty should play wing. Does anyone know if Nene could play at centre?

I agree Milne did enough to show he's worth playing at centre. And, Aitken showed good strength again, but I think Dufty is worth making space for. Maybe Gypsey on the bench.

 

[coast_dragons]

Dufty will have to bide his time with the Cutters.

He needs to he needs to play against men instead of just throwing him straight to the Wolves.

If they don't keep Dugan and that is a possibilty then he certainly will get a go then.

They should have let go Glymin and KFFL instead of letting Carr walk.

 

[dragonssamy61]

My 2 cents worth...
Dufty should play fullback in the cutters. Lets not forget how a couple of bad games at fullback knocked mann about.
Let dufty adapt to playing against men with the cutters, with Dugan being Dugan, Dufty will get a fair few chances through injury and rep footy to Dugan.
But he needs to find his feet in reserves.
Also, moving dugan to centre means we loose Milne, and at the risk of getting shot down, id choose Milne over aitkens any day of the week.
And i say no to Dufty on the wing for the simple reason fullback and wing have different requirements and Dufty has to adapt to actually fullback play against men.
The kid has all the talent in the world, but a few bad games under a panicking mary will ruin the kid.

Spot on give time in the cuttets

 

[rabbitohs95]

Hopefully I get to interview this kid soon and post the video on my channel (you can pm me for the details).

I think he could do really well from what I've seen, but not sure he'd start the year. Needs some time with the Cutters to get used to playing against men, plus Dugan has first dibs on the #1 jersey anyway. Either way it's a good headache for the coach to have.

 

[BennyV]

Either way it's a good headache for the coach to have.

*hangover