NRL 2021: Canterbury sign St George Illawarra flyer Matt Dufty to a one-year deal

He is unwanted by his junior club but St George Illawarra speedster Matt Dufty has found a new home at Canterbury. Check out their new-look backline.

Matt Dufty is racing the clock to be fit to face the Raiders. NRL Imagery

The Bulldogs have a need for speed and it has delivered one of the quickest players in the competition in St George Illawarra flyer Matt Dufty as Canterbury aim to revitalise their attack.

The Bulldogs on Sunday morning confirmed they had signed Dufty to a one-year deal from next season. His arrival will reshape a Canterbury backline which has already added one of the games genuine speedsters next season in representative flyer Josh Addo-Carr, along with Penrith’s Brent Naden.

Naden’s teammate Matt Burton will also be at Belmore next season in what is shaping as a complete backline overhaul for a club that has struggled to score points in recent season.

Canterbury have scored a season-low average of 11.4 points per game this season heading into this round. Brisbane are the next worst with 16 points.

Only Brisbane scored fewer points than Canterbury last season while the Bulldogs also scored the least amount of points in 2019.

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Matt Dufty could be off to the Bulldogs in 2022. NRL Imagery

”Everyone knows what an exciting player Matt Dufty is and his record of scoring 44 tries in 79 matches is testimony to the attacking flair that he brings,” Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton said in a statement.

“He is quick and elusive with valuable NRL experience, and we believe that he will be an outstanding complement to our backline for next season.

“We are continuing to create the squad that we believe can be successful for next season and beyond, and Matt will be someone who I am sure our fans will be excited to watch run out in the blue and white next year.”

Dufty has had a turbulent few months after being told his deal would not be extended at St George Illawarra. He toured Canberra’s facilities before the Raiders opted against pursing the 25-year-old, leaving Dufty facing an uncertain future. He is one of 12 St George Illawarra players stood-down after attending Paul Vaughan’s house last week.

Dufty will off-set the Bulldogs’ loss of Storm-bound Nick Meaney.

Josh Addo-Carr has already signed on for the Bulldogs from next season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Veteran centre Will Hopoate is unlikely to be at Belmore next season, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has already left the club for the Warriors.

The Dragons have expressed an interest in signing Hopoate and are open to the former NSW player joining immediately but talks have stalled given the recent events at the club. 

The one-year term also gives Dufty a chance to establish himself as Canterbury’s potential long-term fullback while the length means it is a low-risk deal for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs will have a potentially revamped backline by the time a ball is kicked next season. The injured Nick Cotric and Corey Allan loom as the only potential survivors from the team which played Newcastle in the season opener this year.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Canterbury sign St George Illawarra flyer Matt Dufty to a one-year deal