Live NRL: Unwanted Dufty out to continue blistering form against lowly Dogs

Canterbury sealed just their second win of the season as they dispatched of the Dragons with ease in a 28-6 victory at Stadium Australia.

Jake Averillo was the star of the show scoring two tries as the Bulldogs overcame the sin-binning of skipper Josh Jackson in the first half to beat a lacklustre Red V side.

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Adam Elliott and Jeremy Marshall-King and also crossed for Canterbury.

The Dragons’ only try came from Brayden Williame.

DUFTY FAILS TO FIRE

Matt Dufty’s future has been at the heart of the NRL news cycle for the last two weeks.

Dufty has been told he isn’t wanted by the Dragons beyond this year, a fate delivered to five-eighth Corey Norman.

Dufty’s prowess with the ball in hand is clear to see as Fox League’s Braith Anasta noted in the pre-game coverage.

“He lights up their attack and he triggers it, without him they’re nowhere near the side when he’s in that set-up,” Anasta said.

“I’ve never heard of a side getting rid of a fullback because of their defensive deficiencies it must be his positional play, he can get caught out but I still don’t understand why the want to get rid of him and who’ll they’ll replace him with.”

But Dufty, who has been linked to Canberra and Brisbane, had a tough afternoon as the Bulldogs’ inexperienced halves kicked him out of the game.

Dufty missed three tackles including one dummy he took from Averillo and routine tackles on Elliott and Marshall-King burrow over the line.

The fullback finished the afternoon with 112 running metres and just one tackle bust, but it was his defensive game which invited criticism.

“It’s horrible goal line defence from Dufty,” said Fox League’s Corey Parker.

“He didn’t even have his eyes on where the ball was. The goal line defence from the Dragons has been very poor.”

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AVERILLO THE ANSWER?

The Bulldogs’ halves line-up for next year is a complete guessing game.

Matt Burton at No. 6?

Maybe Shaun Johnson?

And what to do with Kyle Flanagan?

The answer to who might partner Burton may just have emerged on Monday afternoon.

Averillo put on a clinic against the Dragons, scoring two tries with his second seeing him stand up Matt Dufty with a stunning dummy.

The young half impressed contributing with 543 kicking metres, 75 running metres, two linebreaks and six goals from seven.

In particular the young half looked to drive the ball into touch with the boot and negate Dufty’s kick return as the Dogs completed

“We were only just saying what a great runner of the footy he is.

“He’s very quick and able to break defences open,” said Fox League’s Greg Alexander before referencing one of Averillo’s many smart kicks late in the contest.

“It’s a great play when you are 16 points in front. It’s been really good and they’ve kept the ball away from the Dragons.”

Dogs coach Trent Barrett told NRL360 on Fox League: “He’s such a player.

“He can play at 6 or 7 or fullback. The confidence for Jake will be a big thing. I think a bit of belief and confidence for Jake that he belongs in first grade.

“He’s still learning things about the game but having a player who can score a try out of nothing is very handy and you can’t teach that stuff.”

SUTTON’S ‘BIZARRE’ CALL

Referee Gerard Sutton came under fire in the Bulldogs’ win for the decision to sin bin Canterbury skipper Jackson.

Canterbury were reduced to 12 in the first half for repeated ruck infringements.

While the Dogs were certainly attempting to spoil the Dragons’ play the ball speed, the Red V were no angels.

Bulldogs v Dragons

First half/second half set restarts – Bulldogs 4/1, Dragons 3/0

First half/second half penalties – Bulldogs 2/4, Dragons 2/2

“I thought it was a terrible call, I thought it was awful,” said Anasta.

“It’s terrible, there’s no inconsistency whatsoever, and I don’t know how he (Sutton) made this call.”

Former Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis added: “It’s a bizarre call.”

Bulldogs team: 5. Nick Meaney 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 21. Tuipulotu Katoa 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Jake Averillo 8. Jack Hetherington 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Luke Thompson 11. Adam Elliott 12. Matt Doorey 13. Josh Jackson 14. Sione Katoa 15. Dylan Napa 16. Ava Seumanufagai 20. Corey Waddell 19. Kyle Flanagan

Dragons team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Cody Ramsey 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Gerard Beale 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 20. Tariq Sims 12. Jack Bird 13. Jackson Ford 11. Josh Kerr 14. Talatau Amone 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Jack de Belin 15. Poasa Faamausili

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