St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty has dismissed talk over his apparent departure from the Dragons ahead of the 2019 Telstra Premiership season.
Conjecture over Dufty's future at the club has dominated the rugby league news cycle in recent days but the Penshurst RSL junior has confirmed he will be at the Red V in 2019.
"I've had a chat with the senior staff members at the club and they have assured me of my spot in 2019 so I'm keen to rip into pre-season and beyond for the Dragons," Dufty said.
"The club reassured me that if anything were to happen that they'd let me know before it hit the papers which is great to hear because I have a great relationship with everyone at the club and I'm looking to ripping in for them and all the boys."
Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management Ian Millward echoed Dufty's sentiments relating to his current contract.
"The speculation and misinformation surrounding Matt's future has been disappointing," Millward said.
"Matt is contracted for 2019 and will definitely be a part of our squad next year, there has never been any internal discussion that suggested otherwise."
Dufty was one of the first few Dragons to report for pre-season a fortnight ago and has enjoyed the seniority that has come with it, considering he featured in every game for the Red V throughout their 2018 campaign.
With the wider squad readying themselves for their own pre-season commencement next week, Dufty is also keen to catch up with more of his fellow Dragons.
"It's been a shock to the system coming back after a long break and getting straight into the running but it's been good to see all the boys again," Dufty said.
"It's been a bit different the first few weeks because the last couple of years I've been the one who has been the inexperience kid. It's good to come back and help push along the boys who are in the first or second pre-season and help them through it."
