The fair weather nature of rugby league fandom is one thing, but with mixed messages around selections and his future at the club, the 25-year-old wasn't always in a great head space.

The 2020 season started much the same way, in and out of first grade and questioning whether his junior club was the still the right one for him. It all changed with what proved a career-turning performance against Cronulla in round five that morphed into his most consistent season.

As expected, he was named at fullback on Tuesday ahead of Sunday's season-opener against Cronulla. He'll be part of a new-look spine featuring Adam Clune at five-eighth with Corey Norman controversially unavailable due to suspension and Andrew McCullough at hooker.

It will extend his unbroken stretch in the No. 1 jumper to 16 games, a run that's restored confidence that had wavered.

"It was just playing [regularly]," he said.

"[Before that] I didn't know if I was going to get dropped, I didn't know if I was going to play, it was a pretty toxic environment now I look back. It's not anything against anyone that was there, we just weren't playing well [as a team].

"There were times I did get dropped and didn't think I should've but that's footy. I'm a real confidence player and I think the further the year went on, even when we weren't winning, I was still confident in my own ability.

"That's what I lost a few years ago, especially when they signed Normy [Corey Norman] and I lost my role. Coming off 2018 thinking I was playing really well, it was hard for me, but I've grown up a lot since then. I don't really hold onto things from the past."

He feels the latter fact is what puts him good stead for his fifth season in the top grade, one with the outside pressures that come with being off contract and many tipping the Dragons for the spoon.

Read more: Clune grateful for tough NRL initiation

It comes with the territory and Dufty feels he's better equipped to deal with the peaks and troughs any NRL season inevitably tosses up.

"Footy's never going to be all happiness, it'd be pretty boring if it was," he said.

"I find now, when times are tough and we're in that grind, I want to be that player to break the game open or win us the game. I know I can do all those things that come off instinctively, but it's more the little one per centers. That's what I look forward to now.

"In the past if we lost and I played well I'd be happy. Now, if we lose and I play good, I'm still angry because all I want to do now is win. Nothing's more important than those two points.

"I'm feeling very confident after last year. For me it's just about starting the year strong and consistent. That'll be my goal."

After previously expressing disappointment that the club hadn't opened a dialogue about a possible contract extension, his management is now in discussions about his future.

Read more: Captaincy a blessing not a curse for Hunt

It leaves securing a new deal a major drive for him ahead of what's likely to be the most significant deal of his career.

"[The club's] talking to my manager. It's early stages but hopefully it can move forward," he said.

"I've been through the system, grown up with just one coach in Mary [Paul McGregor] and Benny Hornby sheltering me from most stuff bringing me through the grades.

"Coming back with all the new coaches I knew I had to push myself to prove to Hook [Griffin] that I want to be the number one. That was good for me.

"I've still got a point to prove. I don't read what's in the media but I know I've still got those doubters and a few haters out there so I want to prove them wrong as well.

"I like a challenge and I think I play my best footy under pressure. This is where I want to stay and we'll wait and see what the club has to say."

There were few surprises in the rest of Griffin's line-up, with Jack Bird selected at left centre after playing there in the Charity Shield, while Josh Kerr will start in the edge back row spot left open by the departure of Tyson Frizell.

Tyrell Fuimaono was selected at lock, a spot made available by a season-ending ACL injury for Cam McInnes and the ongoing unavailability of stood-down Jack de Belin.

New recruit Poasa Faamausili will make his club debut from the interchange bench, as will former Eel Daniel Alvaro.

Dragons line-up for round one: