Dugan at home with the Raiders
By Nathan Ryan
EXCLUSIVE: CANBERRA is in the box seat to re-sign star fullback Josh Dugan on a new three-year deal after the excitement machine revealed he wants to stay at the Raiders.
The 21-year-old revealed in an exclusive interview whilst in NRL All Stars camp that his priority is to remain with the club he debuted for in 2009 - with a final decision on his future to be made in a matter of weeks.
“I’m pretty happy in Canberra at the moment and that’s where I’d like to stay with my family and friends,” Dugan exclusively revealed to nospam11.com.au.
“It would be hard to move away.
"I just started re-negotiations and hopefully we can get something sorted.
"I definitely want it done before the season starts so hopefully we can get it sorted in the next few weeks.”
This time last year, Dugan catapulted to stardom in what was a breakout match for the All Stars which saw him claim the Preston Campbell medal for man-of-the-match.
For a boy from Canberra who told his mother he wanted to “debut for Canberra at 18,” Dugan has been heavily linked with a move to one of Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Illawarra, Sydney Roosters or Wests Tigers.
Despite the constant speculation over his future, Dugan said talk surrounding his new deal has not distracted him.
“It does get a little bit annoying the hype around it but it comes with being a key player in the lime light but I think I’ve got used to that over the last few years,” said Dugan.
“(Being in the limelight) has made me grow up a lot quicker than a normal 21-year-old should, but it’s probably for the best and made me a better player.”
Dugan and his teammates joined Indigenous children for a youth summit on Wednesday where they discussed the importance of goal setting, which is something the custodian regularly practices.
“Last year my goal was to play Country and get a crack at Origin and I did that,” he said.
“This year it’s just about staying on the park and playing as best I can.”
While an ankle injury cut his season short on the day he was selected for the second game for New South Wales, Dugan is determined to return to the Blues despite some stiff competition for the role.
“First and foremost I want to play good footy for Canberra and if I have to go back to Country again and hopefully get a crack at Origin again,” he said.
“You’ve got (Jarryd) Hayne and Brett Stewart there as well so it’s going to be tough to get back that number one.”
http://www.nospam11.com.au/articles/2012/02/01/dugan-at-home-with-the-raiders
