Matt Dufty stars for Dragons as St George Illawarra beat Hull FC 24-18 at ANZ Stadium
DRAGONS fans came to see their million dollar halves pairing. Instead it was a 22-year-old fullback who outshone the rest to help set up a 24-18 win against Hull FC.
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THE Dragons fans came to see their million dollar halves pairing. But instead it was 22-year-old fullback Matt Dufty who outshone the rest of the St George Illawarra spine to help set up a 24-18 win against Hull at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
Dufty — who played 68 minutes — ran for more than 200 metres with two line breaks as he looked to cement himself in the No.1 jersey after finishing in that spot last season in one of his seven top grade games as the Dragons look for a permanent replacement for Josh Dugan.
The fullback said he had put on up to four kilograms in the off-season.
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“Coming (in) from last year I really just wanted to attack this year and make that spot my own. Benny and I have a good combination and it’s forming nicely,” Dufty said. “Weight never really bothered me, but coming in today I felt good.
“I’ve set up a good opportunity, but we’ve still got next week to go and it’s up to (McGregor) what he wants to do in round one.
“Every game I get out there I’m growing and feeling more comfortable. Hopefully I can get out there and keep [the No.1] all season.”
Dragons coach Paul McGregor said Dufty was an “exciting” prospect.
“He has continued his pre-season,” McGregor said. “He had a really good pre-season. He has put on a bit of weight. His speed is his asset. He did what he needed to do to keep his spot next week.
“He is a pretty confident kid. He doesn’t need much help there. What he will get out of that is his condition was a lot better last year. Carrying the extra weight is pleasing.”
While Dufty impressed, new recruits Ben Hunt and James Graham did had mixed first appearances. Graham played just the opening 25 minutes — failing to make a real impact — before taking his spot on the bench while Hunt’s 72 minute stint was varied.
Hunt said he started slow.
“I felt my way into the game,” Hunt said. “Going forward I need to be a bit different to that. I need to inject myself into the game. I am the halfback here. Through this trial and next week I can start getting my hands on the ball a lot earlier.
He combined with new halves partner Gareth Widdop — who laid on two tries — on the same side of the field at times with the pair working together to lay on a try.
The concern for St George Illawarra — who were only missing regulars Jack de Belin and Tyson Frizell — was the amount of easy metres Hull made in the middle which McGregor was critical of.
Former Cronulla half Albert Kelly scored twice in the first half for Hull while Jason Nightingale and Tim Lafai crossed for the Dragons who trailed 12-10 at halftime.
The Dragons snatched the lead after 47 minutes when Nene Macdonald scored off a wide shift. Macdonald had his second five minutes later following a wide Widdop cut out pass to extend the Dragons lead by six.
Poor handling against cost the Dragons, allowing Liam Watts to score four minutes later to draw the scores level.
A Kurt Mann try with four minutes remaining ensured a Dragons win.