BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

A week is a long time in rugby league. Seven days ago, St George Illawarra were on tilt and fans were preparing for another September spent sticking pins into their Paul McGregor voodoo dolls. Then Matt Dufty came along.

In the matter of 80 minutes, the Dragons resurrected their season putting 52 points on the high-flying Manly Sea Eagles.

Dufty was merely a talented rookie with a future at 2pm Sunday.

By 3.30pm, he became the fuel to spark the Saints back to life.

Six weeks out from the NRL Finals and after just one NRL game, Dufty could be the difference between the Dragons fading to nothing or going deep into the playoffs.

Talk about pressure.

The Penshurst RSL junior made 11 tackle busts against the Sea Eagles, scored a try and ran for almost 200 metres in a dominant performance.

And just like that, Josh Dugan returns from injury and is immediately switched to the centres to play Newcastle.

Things move pretty quickly in rugby league but this quickly? Absolutely.

“The game from zero to 80 went so quickly and I’m just so grateful for the opportunity Mary (McGregor) gave me,” Dufty said after the 52-22 win over the Eagles in Wollongong.

“I knew earlier in the week that Duges was in a bit of doubt but I only found out on Thursday he wasn’t going to play and Mary told me he was going to give me a start.

“We a had a day off after he told me so I was feeling pretty good but then I got here for captain’s run and saw the field all marked out and I got really nervous.

What a debut by Matt Dufty 🙌 #NRLDragonsManly #NRL pic.twitter.com/vPBXzz8h3N

— NRL (@NRL) July 24, 2017

ROUND 20: The @NRL_Dragons unveil a star of the future – fullback Matt Dufty who shined on his debut against @SeaEagles #TenNews @caineyten pic.twitter.com/Ak37SRxfiz

— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) July 23, 2017

“I couldn’t sleep (on Saturday) night and I was so nervous when I got here but Duges came up to me and said ‘take a breath, just play your game’ and that really calmed me down and set me on the right path.

“It was a dream start. It wasn’t as big a step up as I thought it was going to be but it was still the hardest and fastest game I’ve ever played.

“I don’t know if it was adrenaline but I just loved it.”

Make no mistake, kids will be asking their parents for Dufty’s name on their jerseys before you know it.

Forget the old days where rookies were blooded for the future – there’s no such thing anymore.

Dufty is already a household name.

“Matt Dufty had an awesome game last week,” centre Tim Lafai said.

“I thought it was the most perfect debut any kid can ask for, scoring a try and enjoying it out there in front of his home fans.

“He brings a lot to the team and that’s the reason he’s got that position.

He’s a great ball-player, he’s got great speed and his decision making is good so he’s got all the right things you need in a fullback.”

What Dufty will soon realise though is that you’re only ever as good as your last game.

The NRL is a brutal, never-ending gauntlet both physically and mentally.

From what we’ve seen so far, Matt Dufty is going to be just fine.

No pressure, kid.

@woodward_curtis