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South Sydney’s second exemption to play Matt Dufty has raised fresh questions about how NRL squad rules are applied.

NRL fans have questioned the league's decision to grant South Sydney another exemption, allowing Matt Dufty to play in Round 7 despite not being part of the club's top-30 squad.

Dufty, signed on a NSW Cup deal, will make his first NRL appearance in 1421 days when the Rabbitohs face St George Illawarra. The club was required to seek special approval, as players outside the top 30 are generally ineligible for first grade before Round 10.

This marks the second exemption granted to South Sydney this season, following Ashton Ward's inclusion in Round 1. The decision has drawn scrutiny, particularly as the Rabbitohs currently have only 29 players contracted in their top-30 roster, leaving scope to promote from within rather than apply for dispensation.

Coach Wayne Bennett opted to bring in Dufty as a like-for-like replacement for injured fullback Jye Gray. Bennett argued that shifting multiple players, including Latrell Mitchell or Alex Johnston, would disrupt the team's structure more significantly than introducing a specialist fullback.

Alternative options were available. Mitchell has played extensively at fullback across his career, while players such as Edward Kosi and Moala Graham-Taufa could have filled roles in the backline. South Sydney also have supplementary list players, including fullback cover, who are eligible for selection under certain conditions.

The decision to pursue an exemption has prompted debate among supporters, with some questioning the consistency of the rule's application. Critics argue exemptions should be reserved for situations where no suitable replacements exist, rather than for maintaining preferred positional combinations.

Dufty's return carries added narrative against his former club, the Dragons, who did not renew his contract after the 2021 season. South Sydney halfback Jamie Humphreys said Dufty's style closely mirrors Gray's, highlighting his energy and willingness to carry the ball in tough situations.

The NRL's ruling allows Bennett to retain his current backline structure, but it has also reignited discussion around the purpose and enforcement of the top-30 squad system.