Will the Raiders miss Josh Dugan?

It’s a shame that the traditional media love a scandal so much that they fail to report on anything positive that could detract from their ‘crisis’ narrative.

This week all rugby league fans have looked on with dismay as the Canberra Raiders, for the second time in five years, have been forced to sack their best player for disciplinary reasons.

The parallels between Josh Dugan’s demise and the fall from grace of Canberra’s former child prodigy Todd Carney are undeniable.

Both players have been in the Canberra junior development system since they first went through puberty. Both players talked of their desire to bring back the glory days and, maybe less importantly, both players have a penchant for ‘ink’ and ‘booze’.

If you didn’t live in Canberra or support the Raiders (I do both), then you would think that this most recent axing would have left the rugby league community in the nation’s capital heartbroken.

Sure, there are some kids that formerly idolised Dugan that would be reluctantly taking down their posters and swapping their footy cards away. But what has really inspired me, is how much the club’s decision has unified the supporter base, the club and from all reports, the team itself.

Although the same people that write off the Raiders every year will no doubt be doing the same right now, there is a feeling of real optimism among Raiders fans. Although Dugan is an exceptional talent, he lacks durability, consistency and most importantly, a commitment to the culture the club is trying to introduce.

What has really upset me about all of this, is the way the story of Reece Robinson has been overlooked. For some observant Raiders fans, the 2012 turn around in form for the Raiders, which saw them storm into the finals in sixth place, actually coincided with Robinson moving to fullback.

Robinson has amazing footwork, excellent sleight of hand and blistering speed. He is a clever footballer and most importantly, he is able to utilise his outside men…something Dugan always struggled with.

Dugan even played some 5/8th last year for a handful of games and although it was portrayed by the media as a move all about getting Dugan into the front line, the real reason was that Robinson had played too well to be moved back to the wing.

In the end, Robinson was moved to the wing and it still pains me that one of the Raiders worst players in last year’s semi final loss to Souths was Josh Dugan.

So in conclusion, when the Raiders run out to play the Dragons this Sunday…don’t spare a thought for Josh Dugan. Rather, think of what Reece Robinson has had to achieve to get here.

After being let go by the Broncos in 2009 and moving to play in the NSW Cup for the North Sydney Bears, the Raiders threw him a lifeline in 2010 (this was on the back of Wayne Bennett’s recommendation).

He has worked hard, day in day out to stay in the NRL and this is testament to Robinson’s desire to play rugby league.

Robinson now gets a chance to make the Raiders number one jersey his own, joining club icons like Gary Belcher, Brett Mullins and Clinton Schifcofske.

I cannot wait for this weekend, this could be the fairytale story of 2013 that no-one saw coming.