Gerard Beale says Josh Dugan would be welcome at Dragons
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AN KOCH From: The Australian March 22, 2013 12:00AM
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A POTENTIAL move by troubled Josh Dugan to Wollongong has won support from a most unlikely source, with the joint venture's key off-season signing and incumbent fullback Gerard Beale declaring he would welcome the former Blues custodian "with open arms".
The 2013 pre-season was a big one for Beale. Not only did he make a major move professionally -- heading to the Dragons after five seasons with Brisbane -- the versatile Kiwi also became a father when his partner, Roimata Ransfield, gave birth to the couple's first child, Nixon.
"Yeah, I guess the move was pretty easy for me . . . Roimata was nine months pregnant when we had to do the drive down so it was a fair effort from her," Beale, 22, said.
"Obviously leaving Brisbane wasn't easy. Before last year I had never really thought about playing anywhere except the Broncos.
"I had been part of their program since I was a teenager. But thing change. The move to the Dragons just seemed like the right thing to do at this stage of my career and my life.
"I suppose that was the other thing I was taking into consideration, you know. My decisions these days aren't just about me . . . I have a family to consider as well and after speaking with the Dragons, it just seemed to tick all the boxes."
More precisely, Dragons coach Steve Price offered Beale a chance to start in his favoured position at fullback -- an opportunity he was unlikely to have at the Broncos, with Anthony Griffin indicating a preference for fellow young guns Josh Hoffman and Corey Norman in the No 1 jumper.
"I probably needed to make the change to have a chance to show what I can do and develop my game," Beale said.
"Brisbane was amazing for me. There is so much talent there -- there's competition for every spot and I learnt a lot. But the move here has been great and I know we haven't got off to the greatest of starts but I have seen what the guys here are capable of on the training track.
"I have been a part of some really good sides and this group here has the talent and skill to really challenge the best teams in the competition.
"But just at the moment we aren't capitalising on the chances we are creating. That last little piece of the puzzle hasn't fallen into place yet, but I know it's not far away and when it clicks, like I said, I know the group here is capable of playing some really good football."
Of course, in a competition as cut-throat as the NRL, sliding that "final piece" into place is often easier said than done.
Glance through the teams that have dominated in recent years and all feature those rare players coaches like to call match-winners. Players such as Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Jamie Lyon or Johnathan Thurston, who possess the talent and skill to bamboozle opposing defences and turn matches in the blink of an eye.
While Dugan's attitude and application has come under fire since he was dumped by the Raiders for breaches of team protocol, not once has his ability been in doubt.
And while more than happy to leave the decision in the hands of Dragons management, Beale said he had no qualms about welcoming Dugan to the club.
"He has played Origin football. He has been in the All-Stars -- I mean anyone who has seen Josh when he is fit and going knows how good a player he can be," said Beale.
"I obviously don't know where discussions are at with the club, but if he is going to come here and wants to play and wants to be part of what the club is building here, then I think we would all love to have a guy like him here.
"I am part of a team here and I'll do whatever is best for the team. Right at the moment that is continuing to improve my play at fullback. I hope for his (Dugan's) sake he finds a new home soon. He is too good a player to be lost to the game."