Rap sheet could turn Dragons off Dugan
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA'S pursuit of Josh Dugan is again on hold, with the club unlikely to change its stance until it further investigates the wayward fullback's indiscretions in Canberra.
Fairfax Media understands Dragons hierarchy has refrained from tabling a formal offer to the former Blues No.1 - despite their need to fill the void left by Gerard Beale's season-ending knee injury.
The complete list of Dugan's indiscretions in Canberra holds the key to whether the Dragons offer the 22-year-old an NRL lifeline in the coming weeks.
The Raiders have presented the document to the NRL, the contents of which have not been seen by the Dragons.
It is believed officials are wary of how many other breaches of club policy Dugan committed during his four-year stint in the nation's capital.
Dugan was finally axed from the Raiders after skipping training to drink on the roof of team-mate Blake Ferguson's Canberra home last month.
There had been heightened speculation this week about Dugan already agreeing terms with the club, but the change of heart means he is almost out of options in Australia.
Brisbane, the other main suitors, halted negotiations a fortnight ago after his expletive-laden social media outburst to an abusive Raiders fan.
It means Jason Nightingale's shift to the No.1 jersey could be a semi-permanent one with the other candidate, Brett Morris, anointing the New Zealand international as the man for the job.
Morris and Nightingale will likely eyeball each other from opposite sides of the Anzac Test cauldron later in the week, but the former said he was relieved to be stationed on his preferred wing against the Tigers on Sunday.
''I'm pretty happy for Jase to do it,'' Morris said. ''It's a very tough position on the field. There's a lot of running and there's a lot of things that you don't see that fullbacks do off the ball. 'Pricey' [coach Steve Price] has given Jase the role, and we've all got full confidence in 'Nighty' and I'm happy to be on the wing.''
Nightingale and Morris were employed in the fullback role for 22 of the Dragons' 24 matches last season, but St George Illawarra lured Beale from Brisbane on the premise of being their ball-playing No.1.
His absence means Daniel Vidot has been rushed back into the squad to take Nightingale's spot on the right wing.
The Tigers face a selection quandary of their own with Benji Marshall sidelined for at least a month with a toe complaint. Boom 19-year-old Curtis Sironen is expected to get the nod from coach Mick Potter to replace Marshall.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...s-off-dugan-20130412-2hrlu.html#ixzz2QIut2qwx
Not really enthralling news, or news at all for that matter but hey it's always fun to talk rumours right?
