NRL 2021: Star recruit Adam Reynolds backs Brisbane Broncos’ bid for Matt Dufty

Incoming Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds has thrown his support behind Brisbane’s pursuit of unwanted Dragons fullback Matt Dufty for next season.

Dufty ripped the Broncos to pieces last week. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane halfback-in-waiting Adam Reynolds has endorsed the Broncos’ pursuit of unwanted St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty.

The Broncos are one of several clubs chasing Dufty, including the Canberra Raiders who are said to be interested in signing the 25-year-old for the remainder of this season.

Dufty not only dazzled the Broncos, but Red Hill officials, with a man-of-the-match showing – which included five try assists – in the Dragons’ 52-24 demolition of Kevin Walters’ side last Thursday.

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It was the kind of performance that had Reynolds questioning the Dragons’ decision to cut Dufty loose at the end of the season.

“You know, he does a great job for St George. I can’t understand why they didn’t want him, but I’m sure he’d be a great acquisition for the club,” Reynolds said.

Matt Dufty had a blinder against the Broncos in round 13. Picture: Getty Images

Reynolds believes the Dragons’ loss would be Brisbane’s gain.

“He is a quality player, I think you want to play with quality players. He’s no different,” Reynolds said. “He is one of the best attacking players in the competition.”

The Broncos will not be re-signing Anthony Milford, who is sidelined with a knee injury after getting hooked from the field in round 12 against Melbourne.

It has opened the door for Kotoni Staggs to make the move from the centres and into the halves alongside Reynolds in 2022.

“He is a wonderful player who is a damaging ball runner, who was great defensively,” Reynolds said. “So I think no matter where you have him in the team, he’s going to do a job for you. In saying that, I’m not too sure what the club’s thinking for next year. We’ll have to sort of wait and see.

“I think they’ve got a few good young players coming through as well.

“Albert Kelly’s been doing well in the halves there, Tyson Gamble has been going well.

“They’ve got a good number of quality young players coming through. It’s just about trying to unlock some of their potential.”

Adam Reynolds would welcome Matt Dufty with open arms at the Broncos next season. Picture: Lachie Millard

Before Reynolds inked a three-year deal to join Brisbane last month, the premiership-winning halfback’s contract saga with South Sydney dominated headlines.

Reynolds was linked to a number of clubs including Cronulla and North Queensland, with the Sharks the apparent frontrunner in the chase for the veteran playmaker’s signature.

While conceding he was “close” to joining the shire club, ultimately Reynolds decided Brisbane would offer his young family a better lifestyle.

“I was close [to signing with Cronulla],” Reynolds said.

“In saying that I was still having conversations with my family about moving up to Brisbane. And that’s probably the deciding factor. In the end, the family wanted to move up. You can get a bit routine down in Sydney.

“We want the challenge of being in a different state and having to lean on each other as a family a bit more. And I’m looking forward to a new challenge [on the field]. I think they got a lot of potential up there in Brisbane.”

DRAGONS HOLD FIRE ON CUTTING DUFTY LOOSE

By Michael Carayannis and Brent Read

St George Illawarra will torpedo any plans Canberra have of signing out-of-favour fullback Matt Dufty immediately.

The Raiders are keen and have discussed internally landing Dufty for at least the rest of the year after the Dragons told the fullback he was free to leave at season’s end.

But given Dufty’s man-of-the-match performance against the Broncos last Thursday and the Dragons remaining well in the hunt for a finals spot they are unlikely to allow the 25-year-old to move on immediately.

There has been no official request for a release, nor is Dufty agitating for an early exit, although the Dragons have indicated they would not allow him to move on.

The Raiders have space in their roster and money to spend this season, having finalised a termination payment with English halfback George Williams last week.

Matt Dufty has attracted interest from the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

Canberra are on the lookout for a fullback after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad underwent neck surgery, bringing his season to a premature end.

While the Raiders may not get their man immediately they are still keen on pursuing the St George local product long-term despite interest from the Broncos.

It is understood Dufty is due to travel to Canberra this week for talks with the Raiders and to tour their facilities as the club considers making him an offer.

The Broncos appear as the Raiders’ greatest threat. There have been mixed reports which suggested the Broncos were in the midst of offering Dufty a one-year deal which would help solve their glaring issues in the No.1 jersey.

Jamayne Isaako had a shocker against the Dragons last week. In the same game, Dufty tore the Broncos to shreds – he scored two tries and had five try assists in St George Illawarra’s lopsided victory. Even that performance wasn’t enough to convince the Dragons to change their mind on his future, having earlier told Dufty there was no place for him at the club next year.

Dufty spoke of his “heartbreak” of being told he will not be able to remain at the club. St George Illawarra fans have started a petition to try and keep the local product at the club but that will be in vain.

The Dragons won’t be releasing Matt Dufty early. Picture: Getty Images

CAN PEOPLE POWER SAVE DUFTY’S DRAGONS CAREER?

By Nick Campton

People power worked for Alex Johnston — can it do the same for Matt Dufty?

Jordan Mahony, like many Dragons fans, was shocked the Red V would let the dynamic fullback leave at season’s end so he set up a petition imploring club officials to change their minds.

What started as a one-man campaign has quickly turned into a serious movement with over 11,000 fans signing the change.org petition in the last five days.

That’s over double 5107 fans who watched Dufty shred the Broncos in St George Illawarra’s 52-24 victory last Friday, where the speedy fullback showed the Dragons just what they will be missing as he scored two tries and set up five more.

Johnston had a similar petition set up last year when the Rabbitohs opted not to retain the popular winger.

A friend of Mahony’s was behind the campaign, which ended with the club changing their minds and re-signing the 2014 premiership hero.

“My mate’s petition worked for Alex Johnston getting re-signed for Souths, so hopefully this works as well. That’s what gave me the idea,” Mahony said.

A group of Dragons fans are hoping to convince the club to re-sign Matt Dufty. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It already has more signatures than Johnston’s. But I’m not really giving it to him, I just want Dufty to stay. I’ve been really surprised by the reaction, I didn’t expect it to get anywhere near as big as it has.”

When he isn’t cooking up a storm at his day job as a chef at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane, Mahony is a Dragons tragic, but he grew disillusioned as the club struggled under Paul McGregor in recent years. He’s hopeful the groundswell of support can help change the club’s mind.

“They better take notice — the club is letting one of their best players walk out the door,” Mahony said. “I was pretty shocked because he’s probably been our best player this season. But I am a bit happier that we have a better coach now.”

Dufty is St George Illawarra’s leading tryscorer this season with 10 tries in 11 matches.

He has also set up more tries than any other Dragon in 2021 with 12 try assists but the club is content to let him walk away for next season.

After they unsuccessfully chased Melbourne’s Nicho Hynes, Cody Ramsey is now in the frame to become the club’s long-term fullback.