Dufty chat no distraction for Dragons: Hunt

The Jack de Belin saga aside, the club's decision to let Dufty move on at season's end has been the major talking point surrounding the Dragons as they cling to eighth place.

The talk ramped up following the livewire No. 1's starring role against the Broncos last start, the 25-year-old laying on five tries and scoring two in one of the most impressive individual displays of the season.

It's only increased Brisbane's interest in his future services, while neither party made any secret of his trip to Canberra this week to tour the Raiders facility - making use of a long turnaround into Monday's clash with the Bulldogs.

Having been the focal point of the club's attack in recent seasons, coach Anthony Griffin's call not to re-sign the local junior has attracted criticism in the form of an 11,000-strong petition.

Things only promise to intensify should Dufty maintain his red-hot form in the coming weeks, though Hunt feels it won't be a drain on the wider playing group.

"I don't think it's much of a distraction," Hunt said.

"He said Ricky was going to change the schedule and bring him on a different day of the week it was that [cold]. Obviously I'll keep and eye on Duft and keep talking to him, we need him this year.

"We obviously love what Duft brings for us and we need him to play good footy for the rest of the year.

"He showed against the Broncos last week why we need him this year and I don't think he'll be going anywhere [prior to 2022].

"I'm sure his management team and himself will sort that out. As far as everything else goes everyone's bought in and ready to go."

The Dragons are currently in eighth spot with six wins, but had lost three of their previous four games prior to last week's return to form.

They'll face the struggling Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Monday and Hunt says the typically disruptive Origin period is one they need to make count.

"There's a period now we've really got to get right as a club," Hunt said.

"We're on the fringe of the eight or thereabouts and it's this time you can either solidify yourself in the eight or drop out pretty quick.

"This period coming up, we have to get some wins on the board.

"Getting our full squad back on the field and trying to stay healthy and not suspended would help, but you can build some consistency if you keep the same team out there consistently."

The rep season has tripped up recent campaigns for the Dragons but the load is lighter this season, with Tariq Sims the only player to take part in Origin I this week.

Hunt was there as 18^th man for Queensland and could feature in the next two games after the Maroons copped a first up pasting, though he hasn't been given the tip from coach Paul Green.

"He didn't mention anything about game two," Hunt said.

"He talked to the whole group about different things we need to improve on but, to me directly, he didn't mention anything about that.

"He just wants me to play good footy for my club and that'll take care of itself. I think I'd be able to offer a bit to the team if they brought me in."

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