https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...t/news-story/fc69bc74f377901e6d199e3d30f7e2b1
Josh Dugan admits sledgers nearly saw him to quit
Josh Dugan of the Sharks is tackled during the last Friday’s clash with the Storm. Picture: AAP
Josh Dugan went close to retirement in the off-season. The thought of removing himself from the public eye was appealing, so too the prospect of giving his battle-weary body a rest.
In his darkest moments, he contemplated turning his back on his lucrative deal with Cronulla and concentrating on his other passion — sharing his life lessons with young men in need of guidance.
It took his partner Jordan to turn him around.
“I was pretty close to pulling the pin,” Dugan told The Australian.
“Just thinking of being outside that public eye, and not having to worry about getting sledged every week — last year I copped a fair bit to go with the way I was feeling mentally and physically — it wasn’t enjoyable. There was a definite chance I might hang them up. I went away, refreshed the mind and body, had a good pre-season, and I’m back to enjoying it again.”
Asked what convinced him to return — he still has a couple of years remaining with Cronulla — Dugan said: “I suppose looking at it not wanting to finish on last year, wanting to come into this year and have a good year, play good footy.
“Also my partner. She said to me as long as you still have a little bit of love for it and you still want to do it, keep doing it. That was it really. I sat down, got a plan around my shoulder. It was lucky I was with Moysa (Matt Moylan) being injured up until Christmas … because I think I if I was in the rehab room on my own like last year, I probably would have struggled.
“It was good having that person next to … and doing the same program, just being able to tick each other along.” Dugan ticked along last week and he will be looking to do the same tonight as Cronulla kick off Magic Weekend at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane with a win over the Gold Coast Titans.
Once again, he has been named at fullback in Moylan’s absence. He remains one of the most damaging No 1s in the game on his day, as evidenced by his second half against Melbourne last week.
Dugan made some errors to start the game but finished with wind in his sails.
“I still get enjoyment out of footy,” he said. “Last year I wasn’t really enjoying footy too much. That was no secret. I had a good pre-season. The first few weeks I was starting to get into rhythm.
“Then a few injuries hit the team, and the chopping and changing started. I still enjoy footy, especially winning. I really do enjoy the stuff off the field as well.
“It’s something I am in the works with now trying to set up after footy. Me and Andrew (Fifita) are doing a fair bit of volunteer work to do with our counselling course. I do a fair bit of work with Make Bulling History with Brett Murray. Filling my days with things I enjoy doing and not worrying about things out of my control.
“Life isn’t easy and sometimes things don’t go to plan. I am a good example of that. You have your ups and downs. I only figured out what I really wanted to do at the end of last year. These young kids in juvenile justice are 14, 15, 16. I tell them they have a long time to go.”
Dugan’s transformation has been remarkable. He found himself in his fair share of trouble early in his career — he was shown the door at Canberra and cost himself a deal at Brisbane thanks to a social media rant — but has become one of the game’s most influential figures off the field. He does countless hours of charity work — he will shave his mullet this month to raise funds for Bear Cottage on Sydney’s northern beaches — and is a campaigner for mental health.
He also remains a lightning rod for criticism. He wishes people would see the man he has become, rather than the man he once was.
“I don’t think you ever become fully numb to it,” he said.
“You become less aware of it. When it is in your face every day, it is hard to avoid. You do get better at switching off from it.
“I want people to like me. But … I have realised now that not everyone is going to like me. I am done with trying to impress everyone.”
