St George Illawarra have reportedly informed star fullback Matt Dufty that he is free to leave Kogarah at season's end.

As reported byย Channel Nine's Danny Weidler, the Dragons are set to move Dufty on as they turn their attentions to gun Melbourne Storm fullback Nicho Hynes.

Dufty is currently unsigned past this season and is sidelined for an indefinite period after suffering a shoulder injury during Magic Round, which already placed his future in the Red V in doubt.

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NRL Rd 17 - Cowboys v Dragons
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Matt Dufty of the Dragons is tackled by Jake Clifford of the Cowboys during the round 17 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the St George Illawarra Dragons at QCB Stadium on September 06, 2020 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Speaking onย 100% Footy,ย Weidler revealed that Dufty's time with the Saints is now nearing an end.

โ€œItโ€™s my understanding that Matt Dufty has been told by the Dragons that he is free to go. I donโ€™t think they want him for next year,โ€ he said.

โ€œThe information Iโ€™ve got is that heโ€™s been told they donโ€™t want him and โ€˜go look aroundโ€™.

โ€œTheyโ€™ve had a chance to re-sign him for a while now at the Dragons and theyโ€™ve decided not to.โ€

Dufty has played 77 matches for the Dragons since making his debut in 2017, where he has gone on to score 36 tries during his time in the Red V.

Despite his latest injury setbacks, the 25-year-old is sure to gain interest from a number of rival clubs given the limited amount of fullbacks set to hit the open market.

Hynes is one ready-made fullback that is sure to be highly-coveted this year as he looks to gain a starting role in the NRL.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Nicho Hynes of the Storm offloads the ball during the round three NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm at Panthers Stadium on March 25, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Currently out-of-favour to superstar No.1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, Hynes has shown plenty of upside when stepping in place of the injured Clive Churchill medallist.

The Broncos are one of many keen runners in the race to land Hynes' signature, with a decision on his future no closer.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Canโ€™t stand the dragons please Hynes sign with Brissy and Dufty walk away. Dragons can play Ramsey at fullback, think they never appreciated Dufty.

    Fullback is probably the toughest position to crack tho. Every team either has a top fullback or have someone young they hope will become a top top fullback

  2. Fair dinkum! The Dragons are run by a club full of dummies (Let’s sign Folau!). 40% of points come from Dufty either by scoring himself or assists, he is the excitement machine that brings the crowds. He is also the ONLY St George junior in the whole team! I, as a Dragons supporter have watch the mismanagement of this club to the point it should be now known as St Droncos. Made up of mainly ex Broncos players and staff. If I wanted to follow the Broncos I’d spent my cash on their merch and live on QLD. What about that dopey decision to sign Maguire? McCullough over McInnes? So Dufty is being booted in favour of what? Hynes? He’s not ex-Broncos? Dragons would be lucky if they were even a consideration of Hynes (which I doubt) the current Dragons sign has-beens not up and comers. Weidler also stated he was being pushed (not because of his on field actions) but those off field (or words to that effect) I’d like to know just what those action are. They make it near on impossible to be a Dragons supporter…. Oh, it’s OK now, we have signed Gerard Beale OMG!

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