St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor hasn’t ruled out keeping Josh Dugan in an NRL exile for next week’s must-win clash with Canterbury.
Dugan was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s crucial 16-14 win over Penrith after he missed the team bus on Sunday.
The NSW centre was dropped an hour before the game for “disciplinary reasons”, before McGregor confirmed he had missed the bus to the ground.
And when asked whether the Cronulla-bound centre would return next week given the team’s performance without him, McGregor was non-committal.
“Next week’s next week,” he said.
“Let’s worry about celebrating tonight.”
McGregor’s call was as gutsy as they come considering the Dragons’ position going into the match.
It forced Kurt Mann into the centres for Dugan, while Josh McCrone returned to the halves.
After Manly beat the Warriors in golden point, a loss would have made the Saints just the third side in 22 years to miss the finals after leading the competition at the end of the seventh round.
But McGregor said it was a decision that had to be made.
“Discipline is important to our footy team and on game day especially,” he said.
“If you want to drive standards and disciplines it doesn’t matter what round it is, or what’s on offer.
“It’s what the club needs, and our club needed to make a statement whether it be Josh or any other player in the side.”
Dugan drove himself to the ground, but by then McGregor had already made his call.
The NSW fullback was kicked out of Canberra in 2013 after repeated off-field incidents, but has lived a relatively unblemished existence since moving to the Dragons.
However he hit the headlines earlier this year when he and Blake Ferguson spent more than six hours at a Lennox Head pub just five days before the State of Origin decider.
Dragons captain Gareth Widdop said McGregor’s decision had the support of the playing group.
“We’ve got standards in our playing group and if players don’t meet those expectations then these are big calls you make,” Widdop said.
“It could have disturbed us but I thought we moved on pretty well from it.”
Joe
Roar Rookie
Just read about what the other Dragons players did so as not to be distracted for this game really highlights how selfish Dugan was. They all made a pact including staff to turn off their phones 2 hours before the game so they wouldn't be distracted by the Mayweather fight. That meant they also didn't know Manly had won. I don't think they would be too happy with Dugans attitude.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
We won't have him next year so might as well start getting used to his absence. I am happy to see Dugan and his selfish BS disappear from the Dragons. As a Qlder I do want to see him in a blue jersey again. He's a proven loser at that level.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
X 2
Craig
Guest
There's obviously more to it than "missed the bus". Or he's done it multiple times without caring. The guy is obviously a problem. Not worth the trouble at any club. The sharks with a terrible buy IMO.
Nat
Roar Guru
Of course he will be there next week. He stuffed up and paid the price. Next time, pick up the phone though and give the coach a option. Leave the bus waiting and you take his options away.
Charles NSW
Guest
Good one!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Its all a beatup. He was just confused which Mcgregor he was supposed to be going to see that afternoon.
DJ
Guest
Guy's a peanut. He's injured for 20 rounds of the season. He will do nothing for Grubnulla.
Farqueue
Guest
Hes been our best player for many years...Sad to see him go....Crazy that we let it happen...He has a injury prone reputation that is undeserved....Hes actually played plenty of games. The only bright spot in our miserable 2014-2016 attack. Thanks anyway josh.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The Dragons are better off without him, just like the NSW Blues are also!!!
AGordon
Guest
I also agree Duggan has given the Dragons good service for the past few years, which is why he's getting the big bucks from the Sharks. In recent weeks though, his form has been patchy at best. He cost his team a try through a dropped ball against the Broncos, then blew a try soon after and was rarely sighted for the rest of the game. For sure he's carrying injuries and the week off, even though it was for disciplinary reasons, might be the thing he needs. It would be good to see him play finals footie before he leaves.
AGordon
Guest
It's easy to write this sort of article soon after this type of event but McGregor was right; why not wait a week to see which side is best to take on the Dogs. in other words, cool down, find out what happened and most importantly, find out what sort of head space Duggan is really in. If he's set to go mentally, by all means pick him but if he isn't, the Dragons should leave him out.
KenW
Guest
Yeah, I can get as parochial as the next fan about booing someone leaving the club but Dugan hasn't done anything particularly wrong by Dragons fans over the last few years. He's been in decent form this year, paid his penalty this week for a fairly minor stuff up, seems unnecessarily harsh to not give him his spot back when he clearly makes the team stronger.
Charles NSW
Guest
Dugan has worked hard all year in helping the Dragons get where they are! He paid the penalty so he should be included in maybe our last match if it does not go our way. Nene McDonald again had a woeful match so it would be good to see Dugan take his place on the wing.