Dugan, Ferguson face axe
Date
March 12, 2013 - 11:03PM
Chris Wilson
Sports editor at The Canberra Times
Player power is shaping as the deciding factor in whether to sack stars Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson, with speculation Dugan has already put out feelers for a new NRL team.
The Raiders have suspended repeat offenders Dugan and Ferguson indefinitely for an alcohol-related incident on Monday that resulted in noise complaints to police.
Blake Ferguson.
The pair failed to turn up for a recovery training session on Monday after Sunday's 32-10 loss to Penrith, later that day posting photos on Instagram of themselves drinking on the rooftop of a Nicholls home and giving the finger.
While Ferguson reported for a weights and video session on Tuesday, Dugan was still a no-show and club officials have not been able to make contact with him.
Raiders coach David Furner announced on Tuesday the club would conduct a review, including information provided by police, before making a decision on their futures. The Raiders want the situation resolved quickly and it will be discussed at a board meeting on Thursday. But it's understood the players will be consulted and play a prominent role in the decision.
Dugan, in particular, is quickly losing the respect of many of his teammates for his attitude to training as much as his repeated infringements.
One Sydney club claims it has already been contacted by Dugan's manager Paul Sutton about whether it would be interested in him. Sutton denied the claim and said he was yet to talk with Dugan.
Instead of reporting for training, Dugan posted this message on Twitter on Tuesday morning: ''I apologise to my teammates and the fans but this is personal and needs to be sorted out as soon as possible for me to move forward.''
Fairfax Media has learned:
■ On Monday afternoon Furner confronted Dugan and Ferguson at the Nicholls house, rented by Ferguson and Sandor Earl, after receiving a call from police;
■ Raiders staff had earlier tried to contact Dugan when he failed to report for training, calling his phone and attending his home;
■ Dugan was taunted by Panthers players on the field for being ''soft'' during his performance at Penrith;
■ Furner delivered a fiery post-match spray to his entire team for its insipid performance;
■ Dugan did not show for an off-season operation on his ankle and the club had to reschedule it a week later.
Dugan and Ferguson have been given numerous sanctions by the club, and Raiders players report they have been told they were on final warnings.
Dugan and Ferguson were stood down for one match last season for an alcohol-related incident, Dugan having broken team protocol by drinking while injured and Ferguson reporting to training under the influence of alcohol.
Fairfax Media has learned Dugan was set to avoid that suspension, but then turned up late to the following training session as well. Furner, who played 200 first-grade games for the Raiders, would not speculate on whether Dugan and Ferguson faced the sack, but couldn't hide his disappointment.
''That's a bit of an understatement, I am disappointed,'' Furner said. ''This is a proud club and we're trying to put wins on the board rather than being in the limelight for the wrong reasons.
''We've got a standard here and I've said it before, no one player, coach or staff is bigger than this club. We've had some of the best players playing the game come through this club. My thoughts are pretty strong.''
Furner said Raiders players felt equally let down. ''I think they're like everyone at the moment, they're extremely disappointed,'' Furner said.
''The leadership group will be consulted along with the board, management and staff.''
