NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos ramp up interest in Dragons fullback Matt Dufty

Billy Slater believes unwanted Dragons fullback Matt Dufty would be a perfect fit at the Broncos and Brisbane bosses agree as they ramp up negotiations to lure him to Red Hill.

TC Robati scored a double for the Broncos against the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane bosses have ramped-up negotiations with Matt Dufty in the wake of the unwanted Dragons fullback’s dynamic display against the Broncos on Thursday night.

News Corp can reveal Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy has held talks with the management of Dufty, who had a hand in seven of St George Illawarra’s nine tries in their 52-24 drubbing of the Broncos at Kogarah.

The Broncos initially had their sights set on Nicho Hynes, but the Storm custodian’s decision to ink a $1.8 million deal with the Sharks on Tuesday has prompted Brisbane to divert their focus to the dazzling Dufty.

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The off-contract 25-year-old has interest from four clubs, including one team in the English Super League, but Storm fullback legend Billy Slater believes Dufty would be the perfect fit in the Broncos’ No.1 jumper.

Dufty’s agent Clinton Schifcofske confirmed the Broncos are in the mix for the Dragons junior, who comprehensively outpointed rival Brisbane fullback Jamayne Isaako in the Red V rout.

The Broncos have expressed interest in signing Dragons fullback Matt Dufty. Picture: Getty Images

“The Broncos are certainly an option for him, he’s a free agent and he is looking at all his options,” Schifcofske said. “We have spoken about Brisbane being a club that may need a fullback so that presents an opportunity for him.

“There’s no rush. He is a bit disappointed but he will back himself on the open market ... a few clubs have expressed interest.”

More than 3000 Dragons fans have signed a petition lobbying the club to keep Dufty, but St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin is unlikely to budge on his decision to offload the flying fullback.

Brisbane have yet to table a formal offer for Dufty, who is on $400,000 this season at the Dragons and would require a similar salary to join the Broncos.

The Broncos last month snared South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds in a $2.4 million coup and Schifcofske says Dufty is open to relocating to Brisbane.

“Moving to Queensland wouldn’t be an issue for Matt,” he said.

“Matt and his partner have bought a place in Wollongong but if they had to move, that’s not a problem. It’s a credit to Matt how he has handled this period.

“He has matured a lot as a person and it speaks volumes for his character that he would come out and play the way he did against the Broncos and not kick cans.

“I couldn’t be happier with Matt’s attitude responding to this.”

Former Queensland Origin fullback Slater urged the Broncos to sign Dufty.

“He’s been told he’s not going to be at the Dragons, which I think is quite strange because I thought you only replace someone if you have someone better,” Slater told Channel 9 following Dufty’s Broncos masterclass.

Matt Dufty starred for the Dragons against the Broncos on Thursday night. Picture: Getty Images

“One thing I do know is Matt Dufty does have a future in this game and there will be a number of clubs looking around and seeing if Matt Dufty fits in ... I noticed Darren Lockyer (Broncos board member) asking some communication questions and writing things down.

“I think he would fit nicely up there at Brisbane. They’ve got Adam Reynolds going up there, I think Albert Kelly is playing some nice football and you see some of their quality coming through — TC Robati, he’s a player and Selwyn Cobbo on the wing.

“They’ve got some talent up there. If you put the likes of Dufty that are using the football the way he is, he’s certainly going to be a great addition for the Broncos if he goes that way.”

ISAAKO HOOKED IN HORROR NIGHT FOR BRONCOS

Forget Nicho Hynes. The Broncos should sign Matt Dufty.

That is the only conclusion to draw from Thursday night’s Kogarah carve-up after a Dufty masterclass poured salt onto fullback rival Jamayne Isaako’s brain explosion in the Dragons’ 52-24 belting of the Broncos.

Just 48 hours after Storm ace Hynes rejected Brisbane to join the Sharks, Dufty demonstrated everything Isaako lacks at the back as the Dragons’ No.1 consigned Brisbane to their 10th loss in 13 games with a Jubilee cakewalk.

It defies belief that St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin doesn’t want the off-contract Dufty, who scored two tries and posted five try assists as he had a hand in seven of the Dragons’ nine tries.

In the process, Dufty showed Brisbane the value of a genuine fullback after he personally played a role in Isaako being hooked 14 minutes from time as the Bronco imploded following the worst backfield blunder of the season.

Tevita Pangai Jnr was unable to inspire the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

The Isaako mistake broke Brisbane’s spirit.

From sniffing an upset at 18-all, Brisbane went to half-time trailing 24-18 and collapsed after the break as Ben Hunt and Corey Norman steered the Red V to their first-ever half-century against the Broncos.

PEA-BRAIN JAMAYNE

Isaako’s woeful in-goal gaffe seconds before half-time is one reason why the Broncos should consider signing Dufty as their fullback for next season.

With the hooter about to sound and scores locked 18-all, Dragons pivot Norman kicked from a scrum 40 metres out from the Broncos line. All Isaako had to do was kick the ball dead. Instead, he dithered, allowing Dufty to sprint through to touch down for a 24-18 half-time lead.

“The error on half-time was a killer for us,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters lamented.

It was a shocking misjudgment from Isaako, who finished with four errors. After 66 minutes, Walters had seen enough. A shattered Isaako was benched.

“I just thought he was better off having a spell,” Walters said of hooking Isaako.

Asked if he is keen to sign Dufty, Walters added: “He had a good game, he is a good player, but I’ll worry about the Broncos and get them up for Canberra next week.”

BRITTLE BRONCOS

Walters must fix Brisbane’s defensive structures urgently. Their application without the ball is fragile and wildly inconsistent.

The Broncos have conceded 40 points or more in a match five times this season. In the past month, they have leaked 158 points at 39 per game and are one penalty goal away from conceding 400 for the season thus far.

In pre-season, Walters promised to tighten-up Brisbane’s defence. If he doesn’t, it will cost him his job.

TC Robati was sent to the sin bin for making contact with the head of a Dragons’ attacker. Picture: Getty Images

TEEN FREAKS

Amid another season of gloom, Brisbane have unearthed two promising talents in TC Robati and Selwyn Cobbo.

Teenage back-rower Robati has X-factor and he underlined his tackle-busting power by scoring two tries in the space of four minutes, twice running onto clever passes from Albert Kelly, who played well with three try assists.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Indigenous flyer Cobbo showed some nice touches in his debut, running for 103 metres with three tackle busts on the right wing.

But until the Broncos can find a matchwinning No.1, they won’t be playing finals football.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos ramp up interest in Dragons fullback Matt Dufty