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http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dragons-keeping-the-door-open-for-dugan-20111122-1nsyy.html
Dragons keeping the door open for Dugan
Dragons keeping the door open for Dugan
Michael Chammas
November 23, 2011
THEY don't have a regular fullback, and St George Illawarra may be contenders to secure Canberra superstar Josh Dugan when he comes off contract at the end of next season.
The Dragons are still privately seething over Tim Moltzen's decision to turn his back on the club to remain at the Wests Tigers, but it may well prove a blessing in disguise.
Moltzen's backflip, as well as Darius Boyd's defection to Newcastle and Mark Gasnier's premature retirement, have opened the door for the Dragons to make a huge play at Dugan for 2013. Dugan is not in a rush to sort out his future and is believed to be waiting for the new television deal before exploring his options.
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Dragons chief executive Peter Doust yesterday denied having already made contact with the NSW No. 1 but said it was an option the Dragons were keen to explore.
''A quality player like Josh Dugan, one would have to be considering him,'' Doust said. ''You would look to see if we can deliver to his expectations as well as him delivering to our expectations and fit within our Dragons plan.''
Wayne Bennett's successor, Steve Price, wasn't willing to look beyond next year but admitted a player of Dugan's talent would be of interest to the club. ''The Dragons footy club is always on the lookout for high-profile players and Josh Dugan is one hell of a player,'' Price said. ''You're always looking at players who have got the calibre to turn a game.''
If the NRL manages to strike up a television deal in excess of $1 billion, Dugan could become one of the highest-paid players in the competition, with several clubs set to join the race for his signature due to an expected salary cap increase. The Dragons aren't the only team the Raiders will be fighting off for their prize possession, with Sydney Roosters eyeing Dugan as a long-term replacement for veteran Anthony Minichiello.
Dugan is highly regarded among the seven Dragons he played with during State of Origin this year and wouldn't be short of friends if he was to jump ship to the joint venture, with former teammates Daniel Vidot - with whom he won an under-20s premiership in 2008 - and Josh Miller now in Wollongong.
Kyle Stanley, Jason Nightingale and Bronx Goodwin are in a three-way battle for the fullback position next year, with captain Ben Hornby declaring his days at the back are over at the Dragons' first training session of the new campaign in Wollongong yesterday. It emerged that Chase Stanley, Beau Scott and Vidot are the front-runners to replace Gasnier at right centre.
Price was quick to stamp his own identity on the team and step out of the shadow of Bennett. ''Wayne Bennett's going to go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of rugby league, as we all know,'' Price said. ''I've got to be Steve Price. I can't be Wayne Bennett.''
Price shot down suggestions his hands-on role as a trainer had caused tension between him and some of the players. ''What happens on the field stays on the field,'' he said.
The Dragons are still working on a proposal to take legal action against the Wests Tigers and player manager Martin Tauber in the aftermath of the Moltzen saga.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...n-for-dugan-20111122-1nsyy.html#ixzz1eTjJwtMC
November 23, 2011
Back into it
as Jamie Soward went through his paces. Photo: Orlando Chiodo
The Dragons are still privately seething over Tim Moltzen's decision to turn his back on the club to remain at the Wests Tigers, but it may well prove a blessing in disguise.
Moltzen's backflip, as well as Darius Boyd's defection to Newcastle and Mark Gasnier's premature retirement, have opened the door for the Dragons to make a huge play at Dugan for 2013. Dugan is not in a rush to sort out his future and is believed to be waiting for the new television deal before exploring his options.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Trent Merrin cools off. Photo: Orlando Chiodo
''A quality player like Josh Dugan, one would have to be considering him,'' Doust said. ''You would look to see if we can deliver to his expectations as well as him delivering to our expectations and fit within our Dragons plan.''
Wayne Bennett's successor, Steve Price, wasn't willing to look beyond next year but admitted a player of Dugan's talent would be of interest to the club. ''The Dragons footy club is always on the lookout for high-profile players and Josh Dugan is one hell of a player,'' Price said. ''You're always looking at players who have got the calibre to turn a game.''
Josh Dugan. Photo: Lannon Harley
Dugan is highly regarded among the seven Dragons he played with during State of Origin this year and wouldn't be short of friends if he was to jump ship to the joint venture, with former teammates Daniel Vidot - with whom he won an under-20s premiership in 2008 - and Josh Miller now in Wollongong.
Kyle Stanley, Jason Nightingale and Bronx Goodwin are in a three-way battle for the fullback position next year, with captain Ben Hornby declaring his days at the back are over at the Dragons' first training session of the new campaign in Wollongong yesterday. It emerged that Chase Stanley, Beau Scott and Vidot are the front-runners to replace Gasnier at right centre.
Price was quick to stamp his own identity on the team and step out of the shadow of Bennett. ''Wayne Bennett's going to go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of rugby league, as we all know,'' Price said. ''I've got to be Steve Price. I can't be Wayne Bennett.''
Price shot down suggestions his hands-on role as a trainer had caused tension between him and some of the players. ''What happens on the field stays on the field,'' he said.
The Dragons are still working on a proposal to take legal action against the Wests Tigers and player manager Martin Tauber in the aftermath of the Moltzen saga.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...n-for-dugan-20111122-1nsyy.html#ixzz1eTjJwtMC
