RUGBY LEAGUE - DRAGONS
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Josh Dugan is ready to fend off challenges from Matt Moylan, Will Hopoate and Brett Stewart to make the NSW Origin fullback spot his own.
The St George Illawarra star has 10 rounds to end the debate and get a firm grip of the No 1 jersey vacated by Jarryd Hayne before Blues selectors pick their squad for the opening game of the 2015 State of Origin series.
Dugan's main roadblock in securing the jersey in the past, last year's Brad Fittler medallist Hayne, is not in the picture as he tries to crack America's National Football League.
Penrith's Moylan has started the year brightly, impressing seven-times premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett with his calm display at the NRL All Stars game.
Meanwhile, Stewart, Hopoate and Newcastle's Kurt Gidley all have Origin experience that could count in their favour when Blues coach Laurie Daley runs over the candidates.
But Dragons captain Ben Creagh is predicting the vacancy will simply spur Dugan, who starred in the centres during NSW's series win last year but has won man-of-the-match awards at fullback in the past, on to even greater heights.
"He loves that challenge. That's the type of guy he is. He'll be motivated by seeing that jersey being open for anyone who wants it," Creagh said. "He loves playing for NSW and he wants to play for Australia."
Club coach Paul McGregor admitted it was a hotly-contested position, but said selectors would have no fear in picking Dugan.
"Coaches know they can trust him," he said.
"He's a very good, competitive player.
"He wants to win everything, whether it's fitness at training or his stats in a game."
Having played mostly in the centres for the Dragons in 2014, Dugan is set to move back to his preferred position of fullback this year, following the departure of Brett Morris to Canterbury in the off-season.
Creagh said the 24-year-old was enjoying the freedom afforded to him by playing at the back, and was certain he would take on an even greater role in an attack which will be missing Morris' try-scoring potency.
"Knowing Josh, he will definitely want to take on a bigger role," he said.
"He'll want to, but he has to as well, playing fullback.
"He enjoyed his time out at centre, where he took a bullet for the team a bit to cover for injuries.
"But fullback, he loves it back there. That's his position. That's where he has played his best footy throughout his career."
Dugan, who played fullback in the 12-12 Charity Shield draw with South Sydney a fortnight ago, will again don the No 1 jersey when the Dragons face Warrington in their World Club Series fixture at Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday morning (AEDT). AAP