St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor could turn to lightweight Matt Dufty to wear No.1 jumper

ST GEORGE Illawarra coach Paul McGregor is set to gamble on a featherweight fullback as he looks to end the Dragons’ woes at No.1.

ST GEORGE Illawarra coach Paul McGregor is considering gambling on featherweight fullback Matt Dufty to wear the No.1 jumper and shifting Josh Dugan back to the centres.

Dufty has scored 55 tries in 65 Holden Cup matches — a competition record — and is hoping to force his way into the starting side with a solid pre-season.

Dugan plays centre for NSW and Australia, but been forced to persist with fullback at the Dragons, simply because McGregor has not had a better alternative.

Matt Dufty is hoping to make his mark next season. Picture: Brett Costello

The Dragons have gone through nine starting fullbacks since Darius Boyd departed at the end of 2011.

Kurt Mann struggled last year and is now focusing on the halves, while Adam Quinlan was not re-signed.

Dufty, 20, has the perfect chance to change all that.

And with Dugan not back on deck until the new year because of his Four Nations commitments, Dufty will have plenty of time to impress McGregor.

“If the opportunity comes up I’ll be happy to take it,’’ Dufty told The Daily Telegraph.

“(Mary) has faith in me, he talks to me all the time about what I need to do to get there, and he believes in me. So do all the coaching staff.

“They’ve wanted me to put on some weight, and work on my talk and loudness at the back, being able to direct the older boys around.’’

Will the Dragons need more than youthful enthusiasm? Pic: Mark Evans

Dufty weighs just over 80kg, while Dugan is listed at 102kg.

Matt Head, the former Dragons playmaker who was Dufty’s Holden Cup coach last year, said size would not be an issue.

“He’s a reliable character and will get back up after he’s been knocked down,’’ Head said.

“Guys like (Anthony) Milford and (Ben) Barba aren’t much bigger than ‘Duff’, and he’s lightning fast and explosive.

“He’s very reliable, skilful, moving to first grade will be a very big step for him, but he’s a player who will handle it when the opportunity arises.

“The biggest thing for young kids is getting used to training at the intensity (expected) at NRL sessions, but his pre-season is coming along nicely, and I’m sure once Mary gives him that chance, he’ll be ready.”

Dugan ohas been the club’s go-to in recent seasons. Pic: Mark Evans.

McGregor needs a big season with a club that has not been overly active in the off-season. Whether to give Dufty first shot at the No.1 jumper will be one of McGregor’s first selection headaches.

Dufty spent three seasons in the Holden Cup and played a handful of NSW Cup games last year. He also played fullback for the NSW under-20s Origin team.

Another Dragons favourite, Ben Hornby, switched Dufty from the halves to fullback when he was coach of the Dragons’ SG Ball team.