Man of Steel Contenders: Matt Dufty

Maverick Matt Dufty has had everyone on the edge of their seats this season. The Wolves fullback has lit up the Betfred Super League in 2024 and has been a real danger for opposition defences on numerous occasions this year.

The 28-year-old speedster is into his third season with Warrington Wolves, and arguably, is enjoying his best season to date under the new leadership of Sam Burgess. His ability to create chances from seemingly impossible positions has made him an absolute joy to watch and he has produced countless highlight reel moments in the top tier.

Dufty has become renowned for his match-winning moments and terrific tries, but the mercurial’s most impressive individual feat is his monstrous metre-making - having racked up a ridiculous 4234 metres as of Round 27 – and that’s from a total of just 458 runs!

MATT DUFTY ?@WarringtonRLFC win at Hull FC in the most dramatic of finishes ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/IFXkCMJTEk

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 22, 2024

He became the first Super League player to hit a jaw dropping 3000 metres back in July and has averaged approximately 192 metres a game, making him the endless winner of the Smart Energy’s Metre Maker of the Week in 2024.

“Dufty danger!” ?

The Warrington full-back extended his side’s lead in the first half with an impressive length of the field effort ? #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/SddqSJsgNQ

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 17, 2024

This, combined with 17 tries, 19 try assists, 165 tackles busts, 24 line breaks and 25 line break assists, makes Dufty a well-deserved Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel finalist.

A standout performer in this year’s Super League, Dufty also debuted in the 2024 Super League Dream Team, alongside his teammates Danny Walker and Matty Ashton.

On playing with Dufty in a star-studded Wolves outfit, Ashton commented:

“It’s enjoyable playing with the likes of Dufts [Matt Dufty] in your team, knowing that he will always be able to put you over in the corner. It’s great – he’s electric.”

Should Dufty go on to win the Man of Steel Award next week, he will be the first Warrington player to do so since 1994, after Jonathan Davies took the award home in 1994. This would also make Dufty the first Warrington player to be crowned Man of Steel in the Super League era, since its inception in 1996.

Will Dufty snap up the prestigious accolade in 2024?

The winner of the 2024 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel will be announced on Tuesday 8 October at Royal Armouries, Leeds at Rugby League's biggest and most inclusive Awards Night - when the winners of more than a dozen other awards will also be celebrated, including the 2024 Woman of Steel, and Wheels of Steel as the year's outstanding player in Wheelchair Rugby League.