Dufty 2.0: Big metres, big moments, big maturity

The Rabbitohs still have three games to play in the regular season but metre-eating fullback Matt Dufty is adamant they are already in finals mode.

The cardinal-and-myrtle claimed the scalp of fellow top-eight contenders the Bulldogs on Friday, running away in the second half for a 22-6 victory and landing on the tally of 30 competition points that most view as the finals cut-off. 

"But you can never feel secure,” Dufty told NRL.com. 

“We knew Canterbury was a massive game in context of the ladder, because now we’ve got that four-point buffer on them. 

“We have Warriors and Roosters coming up and they will be tough games.  

“It’s pretty much semi-finals from here on… that is how we treated the Bulldogs and it will be how we approach the next ones.” 

South Sydney will host the Warriors at Allianz Stadium in Round 25 before travelling to the Gold Coast for the Titans and finally the Roosters back at Allianz in Round 27.

One thing the Rabbitohs can take a great deal of comfort from is Dufty’s finesse at No.1. 

He fell a smidge short (one metre) of running 300 metres for the fifth time in his 12 NRL games this year since being promoted from NSW Cup in Round 7. 

“I put it down to just finding ways to get into the game – since I’ve come back (four years with Warrington in Super League) it’s something I aim to do very week,” Dufty said. 

“Sometimes you don’t always get the ball when you’re attacking in this team because there’s so many good players here. 

“So it’s just doing the work the team needs and that might be to take a few carries to take the pressure off.” 

Dufty also scored his third try for 2026 and provided the pass to put Alex Johnston over for his 26th of the season – his 107th scored at Accor Stadium.  

The nifty fullback also had two line breaks, a line break assist, and dragged defenders for 97 post-contact metres. He averages 232 metres and four tackle breaks per game. 

“For me when I was first here (in NRL) I had a few stupid errors in me. I’ve worked hard to cut them out of my game like not pushing passes," he said.

“I don’t have to score every play; I can get tackled. If you want to put that down to more maturity or experience you can. 

“It’s just knowing I can use the whole set. I think at the Dragons I just wanted to attack and do the flashy plays. 

“I’ll take the tough carries now because that’s what’s right for the team.” 

Another element working a treat is South Sydney’s defence.  

The tone was set against the Bulldogs with trysaving tackles by Jack Wighton on Stephen Crichton, Cam Murray on Jethro Rinakama and then five minute later on Lachlan Galvin. 

“That’s who Jack and Cam are – they’re just leaders in how they work so hard for each other and as leaders in this team,” Dufty said. 

“They came up with two big plays... in the scheme of the game we stopped three tries in the first 20 minutes and then came down their end and scored (David Fifita 22nd). 

“If we’re going to do anything this year that’s what we will pride ourselves on and that’s our defence.”