Dufty determined to make most of unexpected second chance
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Matt Dufty is determined to crack the 100-game milestone as he looks to make the most of an unexpected second chance in the NRL.
The enigmatic fullback was stranded on 94 first-grade games thought his time in the NRL was finished when he left the Bulldogs in 2022 to play for Warrington in the UK Super League.
Fast forward four years and Dufty is back in Australia on a NSW Cup deal with the Rabbitohs.
Matthew Dufty Try
The former Dragon starred for his new club in Saturday night's Charity Shield and played a key role in South Sydney's shock victory at WIN Stadium.
Jye Gray remains the Rabbitohs first-choice fullback, with Latrell Mitchell also well-acquainted with the role, but Dufty isn't giving up hope of playing his way into the No.1 jumper this season.
"When I left I didn't think I'd come back," Dufty told NRL.com. "I didn't think my first game back would be at WIN Stadium against the Dragons so it's a full-circle moment.
"I didn't know what my future looked like when I decided to come home. I've landed at the Rabbitohs and you couldn't write about it to win my first game back against the Dragons. It's surreal, I've never won a Charity Shield before.
"I'm on 94 NRL games, I'd love to get to 100 so that's the goal. They've got Jye Gray playing there and he's electric. I've been watching him train the last few weeks and he's a pretty special player."
Dufty's performance on Saturday came at a ground he called home for multiple years, having progressed from the Dragons junior pathway through to the club's NRL side.
Dufty double gives the Dragons a big lead
The fullback experienced a rollercoaster five years with St George Illawarra but struggled to lock down the starting position before he was eventually cut free at the end of the 2021 season.
After four years in England, Dufty returned home this summer to take the next step in his life as a father. The 30-year-old's fiancée is due to give birth in April and the couple are eager to be closer to family.
The opportunity to join the Rabbitohs came after a cold call to Rabbitohs assistant, and Dragons legend, Ben Hornby, with discussions rapidly progressing.
"My fiancée is 32 weeks pregnant so that opportunity to have our kid at home around family is pretty special," Dufty said.
"I decided to come home and called Benny Hornby just to ask him for some advice. He spoke to Wayne and called me back the next day, said 'give Wayne a call'. It just went from there, we signed the Cup deal just to come in and train.
"I just want to put my best foot forward. They've got a stacked squad, I just wanted an opportunity and I'm very grateful for it."
Match: Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles
Round 3 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
9th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
Venue: Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
The Rabbitohs are set to welcome back a host of big names for their second Witzer Pre-Season Challenge clash on Sunday afternoon against Manly in Mudgee.
Dufty hopes to still feature in the extended squad as he presses his case for an NRL recall at some point this year.
Last weekend's performance was the perfect starting point, with the fullback running for 232 metres, with a try, a try assist, a line break, two line break assists and seven tackle breaks.
"I don't think anyone would pass up the opportunity to learn from Wayne Bennett," Dufty said. "Coming in, I didn't know how I'd go. I didn't know if I still had it but this game went well so I'm feeling good."
