The Canberra Raiders' interest in St George Illawarra fullback Matthew Dufty has cooled, with the Green Machine instead putting their focus in finding a halfback.
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Dufty met with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and toured their Braddon headquarters two weeks ago with both parties discussing a possible move to the capital.
The 25-year-old's off-contract at the end of the season, with the Dragons not interested in renewing his contract.
Dufty was also linked to the Brisbane Broncos, but they've also withdrawn from the race for the pacey fullback.
He shone in the Dragons' win over the Broncos just days before his Canberra visit, scoring two tries and setting up another five, but had an indifferent game the following week against Canterbury.
The Raiders already have Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who's one of the leading custodians in the NRL.
He's been ruled out for the rest of the 2021 season due to neck surgery, opening the door for Bailey Simonsson to show what he's capable of in the No.1 jersey.
Simonsson has played the past two games at fullback for the Green Machine, after former Penrith Panthers custodian Caleb Aekins was given first crack to fill Nicoll-Klokstad's big boots.
He's shown he's got an extra dimension to his game having started his NRL career on the Raiders wing.
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But rather than look to further bolster their fullback stocks by chasing Dufty the Raiders will instead focus on replacing homesick halfback George Williams, who has returned home after the club released him.
Warrington half Gareth Widdop's a player of interest, with the Green Machine having discussed him internally.
Widdop's family have returned to Australia, with the former Melbourne Storm five-eighth trying to find a move back to the NRL to join them.
But he's currently contracted to the Wolves until the end of 2022 and Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick has publicly stated they have no intention of releasing the 32-year-old early.
Even if they did release him it might cost the Raiders a transfer fee.
The Wolves have been strongly linked with Williams, who has returned to England, although they currently don't have room for him for this season.
Given it's a World Cup year, if it goes ahead, Williams was keen to play this season and stake his claims for the England squad.
Leeds and Wigan were two English Super League that could fit him in this season.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have started work on re-signing a host of their off-contract young guns - like Sebastian Kris, Harley Smith-Shields, Semi Valemei, Xavier Savage and Leo Thompson - and hoped to have some announcements next week.
Savage made his NRL debut in sensational fashion last season - as an illegal 18th man substitution after Kris was ruled out of the Dragons loss due to a head knock.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
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