NRL 2021: Anthony Griffin’s fullback selection headache between Matt Dufty, Tyrell Sloan

Matt Dufty is fighting for his future and now there’s a fresh battle just to retain his starting spot at the Dragons. Paul Crawley reveals who has the inside running for the Red-V fullback spot.

Dragons fullbacks Matt Dufty and Tyrell Sloan.

With Matt Dufty fast running out of options to find a new club for next season, the under-fire fullback now has a fresh fight on his hands just to keep his starting spot at St George Illawarra for the remainder of this season.

But Dufty is tipped to hold off a fresh challenge from rookie teenager Tyrell Sloan and keep hold of the Dragons’ No. 1 jumper — for now at least.

Meanwhile, winger Mikaele Ravalawa is looking at up to four matches on the sidelines for another dangerous shoulder charge.

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Tyrell Sloan produced an encouraging debut for the Dragons in their comeback win over the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

Ravalawa’s shot on Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead is the third shoulder charge he has been pulled up on for this year and he will now be sidelined for three matches if he cops the early guilty plea or four games if he challenges it and fails at the judiciary.

Dufty has his own battle after he missed Saturday’s crucial win with an AC shoulder problem that opened the door for Sloan to make a memorable debut that included a flash of brilliance for a terrific try.

While Sloan’s performance wasn’t perfect he certainly showed enough glimpses to raise a serious selection headache for Anthony Griffin given the Dragons have already told Dufty that he won’t be with the club next season.

But for the meantime it is expected Dufty will keep hold of his starting spot as the Dragons push to stay in the top eight, although the pressure will continue to build as the season rolls on.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has a choice to make.

Dufty had a forgettable game in the loss to Canterbury but after missing the game against the Raiders he is expected to return for the next game against the Warriors on Friday week.

But Griffin is really keen to show the young players at the club that the door is open for them to play at the NRL level providing they continue to work hard, and Sloan is just another example of the talent the club has coming through.

Griffin debuted 17 players in his three years at Penrith and he makes no secret of the fact he wants to give the club’s juniors a direct and achievable pathway to the NRL with the likes of Sloan, Junior Amone, Jayden Sullivan and Mat and Max Feagai already showing the way.

But Dufty will be equally motivated to keep hold of his starting spot for as long as he can given he needs to keep himself in the shop front widow as he chases a contract at a rival club for next season.

Under-fire fullback Matt Dufty’s future is uncertain. Picture: Getty Images

The Raiders are expected to officially withdraw their interest in Dufty in the coming days and Brisbane have already made it known they won’t be signing him for next season.

Griffin said he was thrilled to see another “classy” Dragons junior take the next step in his career development.

He said Sloan was understandably “floating” after the game.

“He is a really good kid and we are really happy to give another one of our juniors a debut,” Griffin said.

“He is a classy kid and he will be a really good player for the club long term.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Anthony Griffin’s fullback selection headache between Matt Dufty, Tyrell Sloan