Gaz's exit opens Dugan door

[Spartan - Dragon]

Mark Gasnier's shock retirement could open the door for St George Illawarra to chase Raiders superstar Josh Dugan.

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Goodbye Gasnier

• Gallery: Mark Gasnier's career in pictures

Gasnier on Thursday revealed his mind was made up to retire from rugby league at the end of 2011 before he started pre-season training, and believes his departure will not leave a gaping hole in the Dragons' roster.
The 29-year-old centre is now hoping his fairytale return to St George Illawarra mid-way through the 2010 season will end with back-to-back premierships and an Australia farewell in Tim Sheens's Kangaroos side for the Four Nations tournament beginning in October.

Gasnier is contracted with the Dragons until the end of the 2014 season, but said it was always unlikely he would have been able to play out the contract he signed in 2010.
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The NSW representative, who is the nephew of Dragons great Reg Gasnier, admitted he could not commit himself to another NRL season and felt it was only fair to the Dragons to quit.
"It was something I'd considered for a long time, it suits everyone involved with the decision, I can move on with the next stage of my life and the club can move on," Gasnier said. "I've known for a while. Physically I could play on for a couple of years but mentally I couldn't.

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Gasnier now believes the cashed-up Dragons are ideally placed to make a play for star fullback Dugan.

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Mark Gasnier's Career


NRL (2000-2011)

166 games for St George Illawarra, 90 tries

ORIGIN (2004-2011)

12 games for New South Wales, four tries

AUSTRALIA (2001-2008)

15 games for Kangaroos, 11 tries





His retirement has freed up enough space in the Dragons' cap for the club to chase the top talent in the NRL, with Dugan coming off contract with the Canberra at the end of the 2012 season.
"They might choose to hold on for a year and then chase someone like Josh Dugan," Gasnier said.
"Obviously the club's done really well with (future recruits) Tim Moltzen and Chase Stanley. Josh Dugan would be a great buy as well. Personally, I'd like to see Chase get (the starting centre position)."
However, Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said his club is not chasing another outside back "as such".

 

[Minh]

The last line where Doust says that we are not chasing an outside back I think puts an end to any speculation we are chasing any backs in the near future but it also doesn't rule out us chasing Dugan either because Dugan still has a over a year left with the Raiders.

I think we're waiting to see what we have next year and if either Kyle Stanley or Tim Moltzen or someone else cannot fully handle the number 1 role, I reckon we would be making a play for Dugan.

IMO Dugan is amongst the top 3 fullbacks in the NRL alongside Slater and Boyd and is arguably an even more dynamic gamebreaker than Boyd and to a lesser extent Slater. The guy has enough speed, plenty of power, size and vision and is just a very natural footballer, would love to see him in the RED V.

 

[st.phil]

With room in the cap expect plenty of these articles

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...chase-josh-dugan/story-e6frexnr-1226094921497

makes more sense for end of 2012 - Hornby retires, Kyle into the halves and Dugan to FB??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-VH9_Nxyk4

 

[nrlnrl]

that's right, just because they have some extra money now doesn't mean they have to spend it now - think big picture guys

 

[big pat]

while dugan is talented, he is a bit injury prone, may need to work on his fitness first.

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

From what I've heard, Dugan is arrogant and doesn't like to take orders.

No thanks.

 

[Cagey Mac]

while dugan is talented, he is a bit injury prone, may need to work on his fitness first.

This is the case with so many Pat.
Depth of roster allows player rotation as well as balance and team unity
The old star team V team of stars logic that Bennett applies makes so much sense and let's hope that the club continues with that culture
"Superstars" as such aren't super-human. They can very often be finely tuned athletes and prone to niggling injuries. Minutes on the field and importantly low error rates are the holy grail IMO and at least two in the spine with X-factor

 

[Minh]

This is the case with so many Pat.
Depth of roster allows player rotation as well as balance and team unity
The old star team V team of stars logic that Bennett applies makes so much sense and let's hope that the club continues with that culture
"Superstars" as such aren't super-human. They can very often be finely tuned athletes and prone to niggling injuries. Minutes on the field and importantly low error rates are the holy grail IMO and at least two in the spine with X-factor

Excellent and interesting observation, the two guys that have the "X factor" in our team now I believe are Soward and Kyle Stanley when he gets more time, even Nathan Fien has that about him. An obvious one but he will be departing is Boyd.

 

[Cagey Mac]

Excellent and interesting observation, the two guys that have the "X factor" in our team now I believe are Soward and Kyle Stanley when he gets more time, even Nathan Fien has that about him. An obvious one but he will be departing is Boyd.

Thanks (though I can sometimes state the obvious)
I agree with you about Sowie and Stanley is a monster in the making. Cam King may also have a little of X-factor gene in his DNA. I'm really looking forward also to the chemistry afforded by the sibling rivalry of having both Stanley brothers on the field at the same time

 

[Slackboy72]

Brett Stewart is better than Dugan. Until I see Dugan have another good year I'll refrain from sticking my nose up his arse like every faiders fan is wont to do.

 

[Divine]

Just a gigolo? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CodmlmxpZeQ

 

[Cagey Mac]

Brett Stewart is better than Dugan. Until I see Dugan have another good year I'll refrain from sticking my nose up his arse like every faiders fan is wont to do.

I agree regarding Stewart. He's the nearest thing to Slater in the comp and if his career had not been interrupted by injury, may well have surpassed Slater in reputation

 

[big pat]

Brett Stewart is better than Dugan. Until I see Dugan have another good year I'll refrain from sticking my nose up his arse like every faiders fan is wont to do.

totally agree with you there, don't know why the dugan love fest is for, needs to be more consistent.

 

[dangerousdave]

When's stewarts contract up?

 

[Minh]

Big fan of Brett Stewart too but I can't see him leaving Manly or Manly letting him go either. Either a Dugan or Hopoate when he makes his return would suit us nicely I think. Brett Stewart just seems to be a little too bitter towards the NRL excecutives at the moment and seems a little unsettled.

 

[Charles Bronson]

no thanks they can keep dugan

 

[Minh]

no thanks they can keep dugan

Why wouldn't you want Dugan in the RED V, a few others here don't rate him too but what is the number one factor. Do you think he would be overly priced like around the 500k( just guessing) per season mark or simply don't rate his skills as a footballer?

 

[Fingerbang]

The kid can play. He will outgrow his teenage petulance one day, unless he has got some Todd Carney in him.

 

[W.Smith]

i like Dugan but i doubt he will ever leave Canberra

Style is the future

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Dugan is a brilliant player, I hear he is a trouble maker off field and a bit of a merkin...

I'd like to see a junior like Stanley given a chance