Josh Dugan watches training from the cart earlier this month. Picture: COLLEEN PETCH
RUGBY LEAGUE
Ex-Canberra player Bronson Harrison urged potential Dragons recruit Josh Dugan to dump the me-first attitude if the axed Raider opts to resurrect his NRL career at St George Illawarra.
Having spent four years in the capital with Dugan before an off-season switch to Wollongong, Harrison has first-hand experience of the spark the former NSW custodian could provide to St George Illawarra's toothless attack.
The Dragons are considering offering Dugan an NRL lifeline, just days after the Raiders axed their star man for the latest in a string of off-field indiscretions.
Dugan skipped the club's recovery session last Monday to drink with team-mate Blake Ferguson on the rooftop of Ferguson's Canberra home, the final straw for the Raiders' leadership group who had lost patience with their wayward No 1.
Quizzed on whether he would be happy to have Dugan at the Dragons, Harrison said: "Provided that he's willing to do whatever it takes for the team.
"He's got to fit in with our structures. He's a great player - there's no doubt about that.
"But he's having some troubles personally and until he fixes that, then that's going to be his biggest issue. When he gets that sorted he'll get back to playing the great footy he can."
Dugan's potential move to the Dragons would be made easier by the familiar faces which would greet him in Wollongong.
Ex-Raiders Michael Weyman, Bronx Goodwin, Daniel Vidot and Harrison are all in St George Illawarra's 25-man squad. The recently-retired Josh Miller also remains close to several Dragons.
"I do think he would fit in," Harrison said. "It all falls back on him. If he gets his personal issues sorted, he can fit in anywhere.
"We've got Gerard [Beale] here and he's worked hard all off-season so I'm sure he's probably not too fussed about it all.
"We're not really here to focus on Dugan, we've got to focus on ourselves."
The NRL has refused to guarantee it would register a contract for Dugan if he was picked up by the Dragons or any other club.
They’re awaiting a report from the Raiders on the reasons for Dugan’s sacking and released a statement over the weekend.
‘‘The NRL has asked for a full report from the Raiders detailing the issues that led to their decision [to sack Dugan],’’ the statement read. ‘‘This report will assist in determining the merits of any future application by a club to register the player.
‘‘There have been examples in the past where the NRL has delayed new registration applications on behalf of players terminated from previous clubs on the basis of behaviour. These are decisions, however, that must be taken on a proper assessment of the facts and these will be assessed in due course.’’
Ironically, a desperate Dragons and Raiders will meet at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
Canberra has won 13 of the past 14 matches between the sides and the Red V hasn’t tasted success in the nation’s capital since 2000.
Now on the other side of the one-way rivalry, Harrison said the Raiders always eyed the Dragons clash when the fixture list was released.
‘‘I suppose they thrive off it – they do enjoy it,’’ he said. ‘‘The whole side turns around and it’s one of the games they look for in the year.
‘‘We know we’re going to be in for a tough game.’’
St George Illawarra coach Steve Price added: ‘‘Records are just there to be broken.’’
