Former Warrington Wolves man Matt Dufty believes his four-year stint in Super League has made him a better player.
Dufty joined Warrington mid-way through the 2022 season, and played 88 games for the club.
He was set to continue his time in Primrose and Blue in 2026, however he opted to cut the contract short and head back to Australia in pre-season.
He swiftly found a new club, linking up with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Signing a contract to play in reserve grade initially, injuries in the NRL side have offered Dufty a chance back in the top flight, and it is an opportunity he has taken with both hands.
He has featured five times under Wayne Bennett, scoring twice, and has made a real impact on the side as they now sit fifth in the table.
Dufty believes that his influx of form is down to his stint in Super League, as well as the new ruck rules.
“I feel like, when I left, it was a lot more focused on wrestle,” Dufty revealed on ‘The Rugby League Journeymen’ podcast. “The ruck was a bit slower, most teams had a few bigger-bodied full-backs that could carry out of yardage.
“With the change in the ruck speed, I feel like it has suited me a lot more.”
Commenting on how being at Warrington helped him develop not only as a player but as a person too, he said: “I think going to England was probably the best thing I did for my career.
“It made me mature a bit. When Aussies go over there, there’s a lot of pressure on them to perform in big teams.
“I’ve come back a better player than when I left.”
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Former Warrington Wolves man Matt Dufty offers reason for improved NRL form
Now loving life at Souths, Dufty is determined to reach 100 NRL games in his career.
The full-back is currently sitting on 99 appearances, and will reach the milestone game on Sunday, should he be named in this week’s side to face North Queensland Cowboys.
Dufty spoke on the changes to his game that has seen him improve this season, with weight gain and a lack of pressure on him a big part of his success.
“I’m about seven kilos heavier than when I left,” he revealed. “I feel like, in this team, you don’t really need to do much other than your job.
“It makes it a lot easier that there’s no pressure on me having to set up points or do anything like that, where I’ve had that in teams I’ve been in in the past, which sounds a bit arrogant.
“In this team, all you need to do is complete, not make any errors and the rest of the boys will take care of it.”
