Jye Gray's injury has opened the door for Matt Dufty, presenting him with a significant opportunity.
After finishing his time with the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2021 and parting ways with the Canterbury Bulldogs a year later, many believed we had witnessed the last of Dufty in the NRL.
A remarkably talented attacking player, Dufty netted 45 tries in 94 NRL appearances, showcasing his ability to be nearly unstoppable when in form.
However, certain issues appeared to hinder his progress.
Reported problems with his attitude and notable defensive frailties loomed large, critical aspects of what defines a top-tier NRL player.
Whether these concerns were taken seriously is hard to determine.
As his time with Canterbury concluded, a return to the NRL seemed unlikely, prompting him to move to Warrington, where he found success, scoring 47 tries in 88 matches.
Nonetheless, he aimed for a comeback in 2026, signing a NSW Cup deal with Wayne Bennett and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Initially, it was just a stepping stone, yet after dismantling the Dragons in a recent pre-season challenge, the question of 'what if' started to gain traction.
Then, as if scripted, Jye Gray sustained an injury last week, sidelining him for a month.