Matt Dufty caught in ugly post-match clash with former teammate
There appears to be no love lost between Brent Naden and Matt Dufty after the former Bulldogs teammates clashed in a spicy aftermath to the Wests Tigers' Round 11 victory.
Naden quit the Bulldogs last week, following the resignation of coach Trent Barrett, and he was instantly rewarded after being thrust straight into the Tigers squad.
'NOT GREAT': Fans saddened by 'awful sight' in NRL thriller
BIG: The subtle logo change fuelling a desperate bid for NRL inclusion
'THAT'S LAUGHABLE': Andrew Johns blows up over NRL 'disgrace'
The Tigers inflicted more misery on the NRL's cellar dwellers but were made to sweat after almost throwing away an 18-0 lead.
Interim Canterbury coach Mick Potter was heartened by the second-half fightback to trail 18-16 but when Aaron Schoupp was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous throw in the 62nd minute, everything unravelled for the Bulldogs.
Adding to the drama was a confrontation between Naden and Bulldogs fullback Dufty after the siren, which was captured by Fox Sports' cameras after their broadcast for the game had ended.
The footage shows Dufty walk over to Naden, who was in the middle of a huddle of players, before the Bulldogs star appears to say something to his former teammate.
Naden can then be seen grabbing Dufty around the collar of his jersey, before the pair square up face-to-face with one another.
More words from both players are exchanged, before Naden lets Dufty go and the Bulldogs player walks away.
More player signings expected at Wests Tigers
Naden was the first Bulldogs player too jump ship in the wake of Barrett's departure as coach, having signed with the Dogs to play under their former mentor.
It's understood his manager Allan Gainey sounded out the Tigers due to a number of injuries that presented an opening in the outside backs at the club.
The Tigers are also being linked to Canterbury's Jack Hetherington, having released prop Thomas Mikaele to English Super League club Warrington.
Mikaele, 24, made 66 appearances for the Tigers after debuting in 2019, with six of those coming in 2022.
He's been granted an immediate release from the remainder of his contract with the Tigers, and is set to sign with Warrington on a two-and-a-half year deal.
The move means the Tigers go back to having two spots free on their NRL list after picking up Naden from the Bulldogs last Tuesday.
Tigers coach Michael Maguire refused to enter into speculation on whether fellow former Penrith and Bulldogs player Hetherington would follow Naden's lead by joining the club.
However, Mikaele's move suggests further Tigers recruits are to be expected in coming days.
with agencies
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.