DRAGONS fullback Josh Dugan remains available for State of Origin selection after scans on Friday cleared him of structural damage to his elbow.
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The incumbent NSW fullback was left nursing the injury following the Dragons 34-24 loss to Souths on Thursday after hyper-extending his left elbow trying to prevent Rabbitohs forward Paul Carter’s 62nd minute try.
Dugan finished the game but was in visible discomfort and left ANZ Stadium with his arm wrapped in ice, casting doubt over his Origin availability.
Scans cleared him of serious damage though it will limit his preparation for Origin I as he waits for the swelling and pain to subside over the next week.
Daley has in the past shown a reluctance to select players who can’t participate fully in camp but Dugan’s incumbency and the fact he’s the reigning Brad Fitler medalist as last year’s player of the series will likely ensure his selection
“Josh underwent scans which have confirmed he has hyper-extended his elbow,” Dragons chief medico Tony Ayoub said on Friday.
“There is presently lots of fluid in the joint causing pain and limited range as well as a minor strain to the medial flexor tendon.
“Fortunately, there is no structural damage and his elbow should settle down within the next week.”
Dugan was the Blues best player in three games at fullback last year but appears almost certain to be shifted to the centres – where he played in Blues breakthrough series win in 2014 –to accommodate either Matt Moylan or Lachlan Coote when Daley reveals his side for the series opener on Monday.
It wasn’t enough to get his side over the line against the Rabbitohs, but Dugan gave Daley one last reminder of his value with the No.1 on his back with 128 running metres from 17 carries.
It showed why the 25-year-old is considered one of the game’s best kick-returners and easily outstripped the 81 metres he’s averaged in three games in the centres for the Dragons this year.