Canterbury Bulldogs star wanted in Super League with Warrington leading the way
Canterbury Bulldogs fullback Matt Dufty could be heading to Super League with reports claiming that Warrington are keen to get the 26-year-old on board.
Manchester Evening News report that the Wolves have held talks with the Australian over a potential move to the club.
Dufty is out of contract at the end of the season and could be heading for England, according to the MEN.
Dufty is currently part of a struggling Bulldogs side that sits at the bottom of the NRL ladder. They have won just two games from nine this season and lost to the Raiders on Friday night.
Dufty is not entirely to blame of course, but despite showing flashes of what he can do, his performances have been criticised this season.
He copped more flak during the loss to the Raiders when being sold a dummy from Matt Frawley. The Raiders halfback faked a pass to his right as he approached Dufty despite not having any teammates around him. Dufty fell for it and Canberra went on to score a try.
Canterbury Bulldogs slip to Raiders defeat
It added to a miserable night for the Bulldogs who slipped to a 14-4 defeat. And it is back to square one after the shock win over the Roosters last week.
The future of Dufty will now be back in the spotlight. But even before the Raiders game reports were circulating over a move to Super League.
It looks to be the best and only option for him. After leaving the Dragons last season Dufty was struggling to find a club until the Bulldogs came in and threw him a lifeline. If the move does not work out then a trip to the UK could be the next option.
Warrington are reported to have already held talks, while Leeds have also been mentioned. The Rhinos apparently showed an interest before he headed to the Bulldogs. Dufty was keen to stay in the NRL but may be having a change of heart.
Super League links
Dufty is off-contract at the end of the year and Triple M’s Brent Reed believes he will move on. Reed also thinks Super League beckons for him.
“My gut feel is he won’t be there next year,” Reed said recently when speaking on Triple M. “The club has got to make a call by round 10 whether they re-sign him and the indication is that probably won’t happen so Matt Dufty will be back on the open market.
“It was so difficult for him to find a contract this year. Canterbury was the last throw of the dice for him to an extent. I get the feeling he may have to go to England at the end of the year which is a bit sad because he is not that old.”
If Reed is correct then the call will be made shortly as the NRL is in to round nine this weekend. It might already have been made and developments are expected.