South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has moved to bring former Dragons fullback Matt Dufty into their 30-man squad in what could be a hint Latrell Mitchell will remain at centre. The injury to Jye Gray has thrown a spanner in the works for Bennett with South Sydney flying in 2026 until his injury.
The dynamic fullback went down clutching at his shoulder in the first-half in the NRL loss to the Raiders with reports Gray will be out for four weeks with an AC joint injury. This saw Mitchell shift to fullback. Although the Rabbitohs have been flying in 2026 with Gray adding energy at the back, while Mitchell and Cody Walker dominate the left edge.
Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs are set to ask the NRL for exemption to bring in Matt Dufty to potentially play fullback to allow Latrell Mitchell to remain at centre. (Images: Getty Images)
Mitchell put in a mixed display at No.1 on Saturday, but many feel he is best suited to centre where he can focus on attack. With Gray facing four weeks, or more, on the sideline, Bennett needs to make a big call on the make-up of his team.
Shifting Mitchell back to fullback changes the dynamic with Tallis Duncan potentially moving to centre. However, Mitchell might not be set for a move. In what could be a hint to Bennett’s strategy, the Rabbitohs have asked the NRL if they can bring in Dufty to their squad, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Ahead of their game against the last-placed Dragons, the Rabbitohs have asked if Dufty can join their 30-player squad. Under NRL rules, reserve grade players can’t join the first grade squad unless given an exemption from the league.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will need to show they have a severe lack of depth in that position due to injuries to get Dufty upgraded. The 30-year-old could be in line to play his first NRL game since 2022. The Rabbitohs brought Dufty back from the Super League as part of their NSW Cup side. He showed in pre-season he still has plenty of talent and would be a great back-up. Two weeks ago, Dufty scored three tries against the Bulldogs in NSW Cup, while he starred against the Eels last weekend.
This isn’t the first time this year the Rabbitohs have sought an exemption from the NRL. Ahead of Round 1, the Rabbitohs asked the NRL to promote Ashton Ward to the squad. This came after Jonah Glover broke his jaw in pre-season. Jamie Humphreys was also suspended for the first two games. This time around, the Rabbitohs are dealing with injuries to Gray, Isaiah Tass, and Tyrone Munro in the backline.
Matt Dufty (pictured) could be in line to make his NRL return against his former club.
(Mark Kolbe via Getty Images)South Sydney options against the Dragons
If denied, the Rabbitohs do have another few options. Mitchell can shift back to fullback, a position he has played regularly throughout his club career, while Campbell Graham could move into the centres. Graham played
Edward Kosi or Moala Graham-Taufa could play on the wing if Graham shifts to the centres. The Rabbitohs will be hoping Gray’s injury doesn’t take too long with the fullback offering energy and defensive Grit at the back.
Gray played fullback last year when Mitchell was injured, but was relegated to the bench when both were fit. However, Bennett has given Gray the reins in 2026 and it has seen the team go to another level with Mitchell staying fit at centre. Mitchell is also producing his best numbers having scored five tries in four games to start the season.
Latrell Mitchell (pictured) could play centre against the Dragons if Matt Dufty comes into the squad.
(Janelle St Pierre via Getty Images)