I am incredibly concerned with Laurie Daley’s selection of Josh Dugan in the backline for State of Origin Game 2 at centre.
Jarryd Hayne owns the fullback position and it would be moronic to even suggest moving the man who carried New South Wales to their Game 1 win.
“But Dugan scored three tries in his last outing,” I hear some cry. Yes, yes he did score three tries. Against a Cronulla side missing 11 first graders. Not against Greg Inglis and the Maroons.
Against the Rabbitohs, who are real top four contenders, he was targeted and didn’t pass the test. Three tries were scored down his edge.
Dugan has never won an Origin game. He’s also a distraction in camp and didn’t show up to a December squad meeting. As a consequence he was also excluded from two further camps during the pre-season.
Paul Kent has pointed out that Dugan is a divisive player. Divisive players are not the way to win an Origin series. The players mentioned before Game 1 how close the group was.
The major concern is that Dugan will be shown up as an inexperienced centre and the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Inglis will toy with him all night. Thurston’s ability to hammer away at a side’s weakness is second to none in the NRL.
A seasoned centre can read the game well in both attack and defence. Will Hopoate has shown that this season. Apart from one poor game against Penrith, his reads in attack and defence have been very good. There’s a reason why Ken Sio has 10 tries so far this season with Hopoate next to him.
Laurie Daley has said Dugan ticked all the boxes. While I’m not privy to behind the scenes communication, from the outside looking in, Dugan is lacking in a couple of areas.
Firstly, he has struggled for form all season. Secondly, he will be playing out of position and has played just two games at centre. Thirdly, he’s never won an Origin match. It’d be interesting to hear which boxes he’s exactly ticked.
Saying “he’s dangerous with the ball” is not a qualification for Origin selection. He’s shown in the past that he has an inability to position support players which is a prerequisite for any centre.
Dugan does not simply fit into this Blues side. Have the Blues cost themselves a chance at breaking Queensland’s streak?
Get it right
Guest
Yes …the Sharks had players out… some of you are forgetting however the Dragons had players out too!!! Don't mind when people give their opinion or feedback but it needs to balanced and in reference to the situation.
john badseed
Guest
KB can't spell rock
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yes it was at fullback but he still stood up in the origin arena.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good stat there River Lad. He did defend quite well in a team that got smashed versing souths and then backed it up the week after with some good attacking play with benji (imagine what might happen with hayne, reynolds and hodkinson) even if it was against the NSW Cup Sharks
Scott Pryde
Expert
I think depending on the match state, there is also a chance he and Hayne could swap around a bit during the game...
River Lad
Guest
Dugan will be a great role model for the other NSW players. We can be certain that there won't be any bad behaviour in camp before game 2.
Danno1
Guest
I get the concerns over Dugan but hell the guy can play and is always a threat in attack Qld may attack his side of the field but l bet they're a bit threatemed by what he brings in attack He's a dangerous player and Laurie's gone for point scorers you need them to win Good on him
George Walton
Guest
I'd be happier supporting the Blues if he wasn't there.
Charles NSW
Guest
His has gained more experience which can make up for any loss of speed so your comment does not ring true.
JayBob
Guest
Jennings isn't a bad defender. I bet he can read the play 10 times better than Dugan at centre and will make the right decision more often than not. I'm for having Dugan in the team by the way, but defence at centre will be the issue for someone who has little experience and never played there at an elite level. Jennings is a solid defender, plus he doesn't have to mark JT and GI on his side.
JayBob
Guest
Have to agree with Sideline Comm, both are on their way down. Also, playing Fullback at 30 is different to playing in the halves at 30, part of the reason Lockyer switched when he started losing speed in his legs. No one is denying Brett Stewart is a good player but Hayne is on another level entirely at the moment, and Dugan can be a long term option.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
At fullback.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Pearce??
Jay C
Guest
He was amongst the droppiest
Muzz
Guest
Just get behind Dugan and company for goodness sake.
Ken
Guest
I think you'll find Alfie's comeback was a fair bit earlier than that ('01?) but Mary looks fit, I reckon he could still leave blokes clutching at air with that big step of his.
Ken
Guest
I think that was The eye's point '...what Laurie Daley doesn't know about centre play at the highest level... could be written on the back of a 5 cent coin'.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Do you honestly believe that JT is not past his best now? I'm not taking a dig at him, he's still one of the best - if not THE best - in the world, but he was better a couple of years ago when he was winning Daly Ms. He's not past IT, he's just past his BEST.
Ret
Guest
I agree that the coaching staff should be trusted on this call. However if it goes pear shaped maybe Mary will pull on the boots (Alfie 2005 style!) Pretty sure that Hoppa will defend in the centres, and they'll swap around to suit the play. I was actually agreeing with this article until the author used Paul Kent to back his point! His credibility went west immediately..
Gappy
Guest
Daley played centre for NSW and Australia