Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart hopes to meet with unwanted Dragons fullback Matthew Dufty this week with the goal of luring him to the capital.
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Stuart confirmed the Green Machine's interest in the St George Illawarra custodian, who has been told this will be his final season at the Dragons.
The 25-year-old shone in the NRL shop window on Thursday night, scoring two tries, setting up another five and running for 132 metres in their 52-24 victory over the Brisbane Broncos.
It's led to calls from Dragons fans for the club to keep the off-contract No.1, but Dragons coach Anthony Griffin was sticking to his decision to let Dufty go.
Stuart faces competition from his former Raiders teammate Kevin Walters, with the Broncos mentor also keen on the fullback.
Dufty has played 78 NRL games across five seasons with the Dragons, scoring 44 tries along the way.
While there's no doubting his attacking skills, there have been question marks over the defensive side of his game - which was why Griffin was willing to let him go.
It's unclear whether Dufty would be an option to join the Raiders this season or whether he would be a recruit for 2022.
Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad's undergone surgery on a serious neck injury and will miss the rest of the season, with Dufty providing cover for the New Zealand international.
Nicoll-Klokstad can also play in the outside backs, having started his NRL career on the wing and played for the Kiwis in the centres.
The Raiders were also in the hunt for a halfback having released homesick England international George Williams, with a payout agreed to on Friday.
They've already ruled out making a play for off-contract trio Anthony Milford, Shaun Johnson and Ash Taylor, with Stuart now scouring the market for options.
"He's someone that's been in discussion. 100 per cent," Stuart said.
"I'm talking to his manager and trying to get a time to chat to him."
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Meanwhile, Raiders Origin star Jack Wighton was keeping an open mind to help him fulfill his NSW Blues utility role off the bench.
Wighton's been named in the No.14 jersey, which means he could have to cover an injury anywhere in the backline and could also be called upon to come on in the second row.
The 28-year-old rarely starts on the bench these days, having become a mainstay at five-eighth for the Green Machine and at fullback before that.
He's almost the perfect utility because he can play in the halves, at fullback, in the outside backs and has the physicality to be an edge forward.
The Origin opener will be played at a packed Townsville, which sold out in minutes.
It was moved from the MCG due to the Melbourne lockdown, which has continued on into a second week, with Canberra Stadium in the mix to host the game before the Queensland government swooped with an $8.2 million offer to hold it in Far North Queensland.
"It definitely is different. Being a starting player for so many years and getting chucked into this role in such a big game it's something I've had to think about a little bit and that," Wighton said on Channel Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.
"My thought process is just go out there really open-minded and when I do get that opportunity just give my all.
"I don't think I'll go too far wrong if I go along those lines - just go in open-minded."
NRL ROUND 14
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.