Red-hot Dufty finally deserves new Dragons deal, but should Hook actually put pen to paper?

70 games into his NRL career, Matt Dufty has finally hit the form befitting long-term confidence from the Dragons. The question is, should Anthony Griffin actually put pen to paper with the red-hot Red V speedster, or is he headed for the door?

It seems every year, the same question hangs over Dufty’s head.

Time and time again, the Red V fullback has to prove himself worthy to re-don the iconic St George Illawarra jersey for another season. He sizzles with speed, creates and scores tries, and continues to grow as a defender, but he’s left with the same career question marks.

And what’s the reason?

Well, at five foot ten, Dufty is on the shorter side.

Too often early in his career, Dragons fans would watch their new fullback scoop up a bomb or long-range kick, only to have all his good work undone being dragged back into the in-goal area.

It’s a sin fullbacks can’t commit; defence is every no.1’s number one job.

This year, though, everything has changed. Finally, after four years of struggling to find his place in the Kogarah outfit, Dufty looks at home. The Dragons have fired to a 4-1 record to start their 2021 campaign, and the 25-year-old — as well as his five tries, two try assists, and 807 run metres — has been crucial to their shock surge into the NRL’s illustrious top four in the opening rounds.

In particular, Dufty shone brightest against the Eels two weeks ago. He had a hand in all four of the Dragons’ tries in their 26-12 upset win at Bankwest.

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Just last week, he continued his four-point spree. It may have come amidst a 20-14 loss for the Red V, at the hands of a perfect Warriors outfit, but Dufty still looked the goods in attack.

Now, a different question looms over the fullback.

Is there a place for Matt Dufty in Anthony Griffin’s squad, the “dad’s army” that is shocking the rugby league world, beyond 2021? Or is Dufty’s spotty Kogarah career finally in its waning days?

So far, there’s been no movement on a new deal, says Dufty.

“It’s a touch and go thing at the moment,” the Red V fullback said on Triple M’s Rush Hour. “It’s pretty slow. But it’s definitely on my mind. It’s a big season for myself and for my future.”

Griffin seems to be of the same mind; it’s a big year for the Dragons star.

“He’s good, he’s been improving (but) he needs to,” Griffin said after the team’s round 5 win.

“He’s a really good kid and he’s learning the fine arts of playing fullback in tight football games, like he did tonight. He needs to keep improving to unlock his potential. That’s the challenge with a lot of us. He’s always been great with the ball, it’s about mastering his craft as a fullback at this level.”

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So, it seems, Dufty has the same usual challenge: ‘Show us why you belong.’

The biggest issue that The Sporting Base can see is that Matt Dufty simply hasn’t made himself untouchable. The fact we’re even talking about whether he should be getting a new deal is enough to prove that.

Think of the game’s true superstar fullbacks. James Tedesco, Kalyn Ponga, Tommy Turbo. More recently, Ryan Papenhuyzen and enigmatic Latrell Mitchell.

If any of the above players’ clubs were even considering binning off their fullbacks, there would be outrage among the fanbase. Fifteen other clubs — except perhaps the loaded teams — would be licking their lips in anticipation.

Not so much with little Dufty, however.

Now, there can be no denying that the St George fullback has come into his own in the past two years. His explosive attack is some of the most exciting footy seen at Kogarah and WIN Stadium these days.

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But Hook shouldn’t get out the contract papers just yet, The Sporting Base believes.

Instead, let it simmer. Dufty won’t go anywhere until the end of the year — unless the Sharks swoop early — so there’s no rush.

If the Dragons truly want to challenge for the finals regularly again, then they must upgrade two positions; Dufty’s fullback jersey, and the No.6 jumper currently worn by Corey Norman. That’s a challenge for another day, but the No.1 looms large.

There’s three options.

The first is back Dufty long term. That’s easy, but stagnant.

The second is send him out the door. That leaves either a junior coming through the ranks, or an off-contract signing. According to Zero Tackle, that’s basically just Will Kennedy or Jesse Arthars; not the worst options, by any means.

The best option though, is draw up a one-year deal for the Duftster.

In 2022, Papenhyuzen and Clint Gutherson should hit the open market. If clubs come sniffing, that should spark a fullback merry-go-round. It’s the perfect time for the Dragons to strike. Hook may already have it circled on the calendar, if he’s taken any notice.

So yes, Dufty absolutely deserves a new NRL contract at Kogarah.

But does the Red V actually want him long-term?

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