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James Hooper from Fox Sports
February 2nd, 2022 5:10 pm
New Bulldogs recruit Matt Dufty understands it’s all or nothing at Canterbury-Bankstown this season.
After five seasons at St George Illawarra, the electric fullback openly concedes he needed a change.
The easy decision would have been to take up a lucrative offer in the UK Super League.
But after being one of the most maligned players in the NRL last season the fullback with the fast feet still feels there is unfinished business.
“It’s a fresh start which is what I needed, I’d been at the Dragons since I was a teenager,” Dufty told Fox Sports.
“The chance to get out and have a change and learn from new people has been quality."
“It feels like I’ve got a new lease on rugby league and it’s the most excited I’ve felt about a new season for a while."
“You look at the signings the Bulldogs have got coming next year and the direction the club is headed and it’s exciting."
“If I wanted money or anything like that I could have gone overseas but I feel like I’ve still got something to prove in the NRL."
“If all goes according to plan then I’d love to try and stay at Canterbury beyond this season and repay the club by winning some games.”
The Bulldogs are currently on a week-long camp in Tamworth where coach Trent Barrett is finetuning a vastly different outfit to the team who collected the wooden spoon in 2021.
Aside from Dufty, Canterbury-Bankstown have also signed NSW and Australian flyer Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai Jr, Paul Vaughan, Brent Naden and Braidon Burns.
Canterbury-Bankstown’s week away in the New England regional town is designed to bring the new-look Bulldogs closer together as the club focuses on building new combinations.
“There’s some real characters in the team. ‘The Foxx’ and Brent Naden have gone pig hunting today,” Dufty said.
“They’re both very entertaining personalities."
“That’s the idea of getting us all away together. When we’re at Belmore people are travelling from all over the place."
“Up here we can rip in at training and then spend some time together away from footy."
“The first night we were here Gus (Phil Gould) did a presentation to everyone at the club about his vision for the club."
“Sometimes you walk around the corner and big Gus is just there — it’s awesome because he’s got such a big presence in the game."
“He adds that real level of professionalism to the Bulldogs.”
On his day, there is no question Dufty can be one of the most damaging attacking players in the NRL.
Blessed with lightning speed and sharp footwork, the little No.1 scored 44 tries in 82 NRL appearances with the Dragons.
The smart play from the Bulldogs was signing him on a 12-month contract.
It’s a deal designed so if Dufty fires the club can further reward him with a new contract for 2023 and beyond.
“If all goes according to plan then we can win some games and the rest will sort itself out,” Dufty said.
“’Baz’ has been great. He’s very up front and then he can have a laugh off the field."
“He jumps in at training and shows you some little subtleties and he’s very clear about what he wants.”
Dufty made the six-and-a-half hour drive north west to Tamworth alongside ex-Dragons prop Vaughan with the duo also carpooling to Belmore most days.
“Few laughs, good chat,” Dufty said.
“He’s another bloke I reckon is in for a big season. Got a point to prove.”
The duo are due to start the return trip south to Shellharbour over the weekend.
www.foxsports.com.au
February 2nd, 2022 5:10 pm
New Bulldogs recruit Matt Dufty understands it’s all or nothing at Canterbury-Bankstown this season.
After five seasons at St George Illawarra, the electric fullback openly concedes he needed a change.
The easy decision would have been to take up a lucrative offer in the UK Super League.
But after being one of the most maligned players in the NRL last season the fullback with the fast feet still feels there is unfinished business.
“It’s a fresh start which is what I needed, I’d been at the Dragons since I was a teenager,” Dufty told Fox Sports.
“The chance to get out and have a change and learn from new people has been quality."
“It feels like I’ve got a new lease on rugby league and it’s the most excited I’ve felt about a new season for a while."
“You look at the signings the Bulldogs have got coming next year and the direction the club is headed and it’s exciting."
“If I wanted money or anything like that I could have gone overseas but I feel like I’ve still got something to prove in the NRL."
“If all goes according to plan then I’d love to try and stay at Canterbury beyond this season and repay the club by winning some games.”
The Bulldogs are currently on a week-long camp in Tamworth where coach Trent Barrett is finetuning a vastly different outfit to the team who collected the wooden spoon in 2021.
Aside from Dufty, Canterbury-Bankstown have also signed NSW and Australian flyer Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai Jr, Paul Vaughan, Brent Naden and Braidon Burns.
Canterbury-Bankstown’s week away in the New England regional town is designed to bring the new-look Bulldogs closer together as the club focuses on building new combinations.
“There’s some real characters in the team. ‘The Foxx’ and Brent Naden have gone pig hunting today,” Dufty said.
“They’re both very entertaining personalities."
“That’s the idea of getting us all away together. When we’re at Belmore people are travelling from all over the place."
“Up here we can rip in at training and then spend some time together away from footy."
“The first night we were here Gus (Phil Gould) did a presentation to everyone at the club about his vision for the club."
“Sometimes you walk around the corner and big Gus is just there — it’s awesome because he’s got such a big presence in the game."
“He adds that real level of professionalism to the Bulldogs.”
On his day, there is no question Dufty can be one of the most damaging attacking players in the NRL.
Blessed with lightning speed and sharp footwork, the little No.1 scored 44 tries in 82 NRL appearances with the Dragons.
The smart play from the Bulldogs was signing him on a 12-month contract.
It’s a deal designed so if Dufty fires the club can further reward him with a new contract for 2023 and beyond.
“If all goes according to plan then we can win some games and the rest will sort itself out,” Dufty said.
“’Baz’ has been great. He’s very up front and then he can have a laugh off the field."
“He jumps in at training and shows you some little subtleties and he’s very clear about what he wants.”
Dufty made the six-and-a-half hour drive north west to Tamworth alongside ex-Dragons prop Vaughan with the duo also carpooling to Belmore most days.
“Few laughs, good chat,” Dufty said.
“He’s another bloke I reckon is in for a big season. Got a point to prove.”
The duo are due to start the return trip south to Shellharbour over the weekend.
Exclusive: Dufty has ‘something to prove’ as the star Dogs recruit admits he needed a ‘fresh start’
Exclusive: Dufty has ‘something to prove’ as the star Dogs recruit admits he needed a ‘fresh start’
www.foxsports.com.au
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