The bookies don’t rate St George Illawarra, but Josh Dugan says he’s never experienced such a tight, unified team in his NRL career and it augurs well.
Betting odds on the Dragons in the 2015 season have drifted since they lost Brett Morris to Canterbury plus Kyle Stanley, Gerard Beale and Jack Bird to the Sharks without recruiting any big-name replacements after finishing 11th this year.
But representative star Dugan likes what he’s seeing in the pre-season and believes exceptional camaraderie in coach Paul McGregor’s squad could help them surprise a few people.
“This is the best sort of bond that I’ve had as a player in any club,” Dugan told AAP.
“We’re a tight-knit group this year.
“I think our coffee group is nearly our whole squad, so we’re always going for breaks and things together and always trying to hang out.
“This is the closest I’ve ever felt as a team and I think that’s showing on the field as well.
“You can see it. The boys are pushing each other at training and trying to get that little extra step.
“So it’s definitely promising.”
The prized NSW Blues’ fullback spot is up for grabs in the next State of Origin series following Jarryd Hayne’s departure from the game and Dugan is sure to be considered for it despite his successful transition to centre for the Dragons and Blues last year.
He is giving little away about where he will play for the Dragons in 2015, though a switch to fullback would boost his chances of succeeding Hayne at No.1 in the Origin title defence.
“I’ve been training at centre and fullback and I feel comfortable in both,” said Dugan.
“I played fullback pretty much my whole career, up until this year.
“I wouldn’t feel out of place in centre and I wouldn’t feel out of place if I was to play fullback.”
While Dugan’s off-field behaviour attracted unwanted headlines in previous years, he got the right type of attention in 2014 with his form for the Dragons and NSW.
“Last year was probably one of the best years I’ve had,” he said.
“I got a chance to play centre and I thought I played pretty well there and got a chance to win a series with NSW at centre as well.
“So I was definitely pretty happy with the way that my season went last year and I’m looking forward to taking up from where I left off.”
Devout Saint
Guest
Scott, I agree with your sentiments about only players who play in the spine are worth spending 700K plus with the current salary cap. I agree that 700K a season is too much for Dugan at centre. Now consider that Canterbury can afford to currently pay both Josh Morris and James Graham 700K a year. Fifita would have been on around 850K a season too. They are reportedly set to offer Kassiano 500K a season and Klemmer will be worth at least 550K a season next contract. Add to that they have Williams on a reported 650K a season and Prichard on 550K a season too. All of the above mentioned players don't play in the spine. I think Canterbury don't have a salary cap. Regarding Dugan. He is a good player, but he isn't my "style" of fullback and maybe Mary sees it the same as I do. Dugan is probably our best option at fullback next year. I would like Saints to sign either, Hoppa, DZW or Alex Johnson to play fullback for us in 2016.
Charles NSW
Guest
If all is going well Dugan should be named centre for NSW in 2015 and Brett Stewart as fullback. The Morris twins as the other centre and winger, this shapes up as a good backline to work with. Intelligence will tell you that this is the best choice but who knows with NSW selectors?
fiver
Guest
People underestimate what Marshall has done for League. Just look on youtube and you will see no other player has as many highlight videos as him, except maybe Hayne. Marshall brought so many fans to the game.
Jt dragon
Guest
Still equal top at this stage.... Equal bottom to though I guess .....lol.....but confidence is essential so I like it.time will tell bit I don't think they'll be bottom 3. Bottom half maybe but may surprise
Charles NSW
Guest
Of course I undertand what you are saying and the very reason why you wrong!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Alex, You are 100% about class players, but those guys you mentioned all play in the middle and get their hands on the ball a lot, which is fundamentally different to being parked in the centers and much easier to contain. Sam and SBW and James actually played a quasi number 6 role as well has doing a heap of work. The Storm played GI in the centers, but they had Slater as a fullback, the Dragons do not have a top class alternative. Sadly Charles does not get that.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Benji Marshall is the great tragedy of the last decade. Born ten years earlier he would have been (am I right in saying) the first Kiwi immortal. But the game changed to defensive structures and that made life very difficult for him. I have been saying for years and it has obviously been a popular topic of late, but if you can have players like Benji lighting up the stage then RL is going to go well.
Charles NSW
Guest
I think Benji will be much better 2015. He is much fitter, he has honed in on his skills and picked up n his timing. He will not be as fast as he used to be of course but now he will time his runs and do some damage along the way.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Disagree strongly. He has lost too much speed, and they are talking about speeding the game up next year - This would suit 2005 Benji, not 2015 Benji. Besides, Shaun and Kieran have pretty much got a lock on the halves for NZ, maybe he could be a utility... I'm expecting, if the game is sped up, for speedy Hookers like the Englishman Clark (obviously I know he won't be playing NRL) and the Cowboys new recruit Granville to have big seasons.
tigerdave
Guest
Soemone give him a drug test. Players need to be confident at the beginning of the year butprobably should leave their que in the rack when it comes to one of the bottom teams. Even the staunchest Red V supporter would struggle to believe,
oli
Guest
Benji will be back at his best. You watch, he'll play the World Cup. A Tigers fan is telling you this.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
James Graham is on 700k, I see no issue with paying that for a player of his ability. Would also see no issue with the likes of Sam Burgess, SBW, or Matt Scott on that kind of coin either; world class players who can often win matches are worth big money regardless of the number on their shirt.
Charles NSW
Guest
I do not want to get in a debate with you Scott.The fact remains they utilised Dugan in the centres because they wanted more thrust from there then from fullback. If you cannot see what they did and why I am sorry for you. In my view it was the right move at the time. What they will do in 2015 will again depend on who they have and where they utilise them best..
Jay C
Roar Guru
Especially if Greg Bird was in town.
Jay C
Roar Guru
?While I understand exactly what you are trying to say Scott, you most definitely would park a Rolls Royce in a garage. You would hardly park it on the street...
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Charles Let me explain to you why it has bearing. Most results are influenced the most by the spine players as they get their hands on the ball the most. When you are playing in the center it is possible to go 20 mins without a touch. The Dragons are best advantaged by having Dugan running on both sides of the park and touching the ball as many times as possible. It is dumb parking a Rolls Royce in the garage. Remember how GI improved Souths when he moved from center to fullback? Charles, it has nothing to do with paying a guy cheap money and having him at fullback, but everything to do with maxmizing the teams chances of winning. The Dragons list management is shocking.
Jay C
Roar Guru
He won't play centre this year, he will be a fullback. He only played centre to help Daley out of a bind from what I can tell. Ferguson and Jennings will be the likely NSW centres next season. Roosters will likely have 2 origin halves, 2 origin centres and 2 origin backrowers and an Origin winger... Stacked deck much...
Charles NSW
Guest
The fact that he was brought in as a fullback is why he got that kind of money. He was later brought into the centre role to give more thrust. They did not pay the fullback the same money as him. Nor will they pay the potential fullback for 2015. It is most likely they will put Dugan back to fullback dependng who they select in both positions. Either way they do not lose financially if he does stay as a centre unless they pay the fullback the same as well. So your comment has no bearing under the circumstances.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Charles, Any club that pays a guys 700k + and plays him in a non spine position has no comprehension of the cap.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Lot of doom and gloom about the dragons, but I really don't think they will be all that poor. In the lower echelon for sure, but I can't see them getting the spoon.