Speed demon Matt Dufty admits being surprised by St George Illawarra's own swiftness in handing him a contract extension that keeps him at the club until the end of 2019.
Just over a month from the start of the upcoming season, the Dragons on Thursday announced an added year to their current deal with the promising fullback.
A relieved Dufty feared he would have had to prove his ability through this season and revealed he had scanned the competition for opportunities to play his favoured position.
"When they come up to me and said they wanted to extend me for another year I was obviously pretty happy because looking at all the other clubs, definitely at the Dragons is the best opportunity to play regular first grade," Dufty said on Thursday.
"Obviously I wanted to stay because I've been here my whole rugby league career and I was just over the moon when we finally got it done."
The 22-year-old said the upgraded contract took some pressure off a campaign he thought he would have to worry about earning a new deal.
He was initially due to come off contract after this season.
"I wasn't thinking about extending, I was just thinking about getting through pre-season and having a good year and then talk to them about it," Dufty said.
"But when they came to me, obviously I was pretty excited to get it done. Eventually we did.
"It takes a lot of pressure off focusing on playing good footy because I think if you're too focused on your form, then you probably won't play that good.
"But if you just focus on going out there and playing footy, then good things happen."
Dufty also suggested his possible inclusion - as well as that of big-money recruit Ben Hunt - resulted in a change in attacking philosophy over the summer.
There was much consternation last year over the club's decision to move Kangaroos and NSW State of Origin star Josh Dugan from fullback to centres, before his release to Cronulla.
"(Coach Paul McGregor) changed the game plan a little because we've got me and (Jai Field) there who are pretty much the same player," Dufty said.
"We're both quick and got good passing skills so I think playing with Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop there, they've got great skills as well so I think the game plan is all coming pretty good."
Dufty's new deal leaves McGregor with a relatively settled squad heading into the new season, with only regular starters Jason Nightingale and Leeson Ah Mau off-contract.
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