Dragons move fast to hold on to Dugan (SMH)
St George Illawarra officials are in talks to sign Josh Dugan beyond this season after a stunning return to the NRL in which the sacked Canberra fullback has firmly forced his way into Origin reckoning in just four weeks.
Despite speculation the Dragons had an option on Dugan's services for two years, the 24-year-old's manager Paul Sutton said the player had only signed for the remainder of this season but always intended to remain with the club for much longer.
''Effectively he is a free agent but in good faith to St George Illawarra we wouldn't talk to any other clubs,'' Sutton said.
When Dugan signed with the Dragons last month, he had few other options after being sacked by the Raiders two months earlier but made an immediate impression in their 32-12 win over Parramatta and starred in Saturday night's 14-8 defeat of Newcastle.
With NSW fullback Jarryd Hayne in doubt for Origin II with a hamstring injury, Dugan is set to be
called into the Blues camp on standby for the Eels star after the team is named on Sunday.
''He just needed to get back playing so we just did a deal for the rest of the year and said we would do the rest on the hop,'' Sutton said. ''If you have got to figure out three-, four-, five-year deals it takes forever, and we just wanted to let him play some footy, but we have been talking to them the whole time.''
Since joining the Dragons, Dugan has fitted in well, and team-mates are keen for him to stay.
Canberra cut Dugan after a series of indiscretions, the most infamous his rooftop drinking session with then teammate Blake Ferguson. The pair could be reunited again in NSW camp if Hayne fails to recover.
Hayne endured his first physio sessions on the injury on Monday, and made an appearance at Eels training where he walked gingerly but without too much discomfort.
However, Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs said Hayne's chances of playing in the June 26 clash at Suncorp Stadium were ''line-ball''.
''The sort of injury he has, he wouldn't be right to play next Monday,'' Gibbs told AAP. ''But he might be ready by the following Monday. It will be a line-ball injury in terms of recovering for Origin II. If he's walking around it's a good sign, especially if he's not on crutches.''
Despite the Raiders decision to terminate Dugan's contract, club chairman John McIntyre said he had no problem with the Canberra junior being fast tracked into Origin.
''If I have the opportunity, I'd be the first to shake his hand,'' McIntyre said. ''Obviously Josh Dugan is in the frame, and we're comfortable with that.
''We'll be barracking for the Blues, whoever wears that No.1 jumper. It means he's back to his best, what we always knew he was capable of.'' McIntyre said the Raiders were left with no option other than to move Dugan on. However, it shouldn't preclude the No.1 from being considered by NSW coach Laurie Daley.
''We knew for a long time, before anyone else, what a talented player Josh Dugan is,'' he said. ''The Raiders wanted the player - it was the person we were forced to sack.
''The fortunate thing from Josh's point of view is they weren't criminal activities.
''We hope that everything is right and that he has put his demons behind him.''
It remains to be seen whether Dugan's services will be required against the Maroons. Parramatta co-captain Tim Mannah backed Hayne to go close to being fit for Origin II after the incumbent NSW fullback injured his hamstring in the Eels' loss to the Roosters.
''I wouldn't rule him out,'' Mannah said. ''In terms of doing whatever it takes to get it right he'll do that.
