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THE Canberra Raiders are poised to announce the prize signing of local junior and NSW State of Origin fullback Josh Dugan on a two-year deal worth $1.3 million.
The Sunday Telegraph has learned that the Raiders have blown other NRL clubs out of the water by offering Dugan $650,000 a season.
Dugan is expected to put pen to paper before the club's round-one clash with Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium on March 3.
The only sticking point remains the fine print on a clause relating to an increase in Dugan's contract when the new TV rights broadcasting deal is negotiated this year.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner will meet Dugan's agent Paul Sutton to thrash out the final terms this week.
"Things are progressing well and we're hopeful of having a decision before the start of the season," Furner said. "I'll be surprised if Josh doesn't stay with us, but like any young player he wanted to test his value on the open market
"But he's told us he wants to stay, we certainly want him to stay and it all seems to be heading in the right direction."
The Raiders remain unconcerned by Dugan's recent off-field behaviour and scheduled appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday. He has been charged with speeding and driving while his licence was suspended.
When Dugan initially announced his intention to test his value on the open market, St George Illawarra, the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters all signalled an intent to lure the Origin fullback.
But after the Dragons withdrew their interest last month and Canterbury and the Roosters baulked at his asking price, the Raiders are on target to retain him.
Furner admitted the Raiders had been forced to match the market value to remain in the race to sign Dugan.
"It's hard for us to attract big names here so it's very important to try and keep our best juniors," Furner said.
"It would be easy if you could just sit back and wait until players were 23 and then come in with a big offer and let another club do all the development work.
"But we're not in a position to do that. Without a doubt, we have to match the market. We know we're a target of other clubs in terms of our juniors.
"The pleasing thing for us is that, generally, our players want to stay. We're hopeful of Josh being the latest."
After re-signing coach Furner and outstanding local prospect Shaun Fensom until the end of 2014, Dugan's signature continues the Raiders' retention drive.
The Raiders spent the past week touring the Riverina region in preparation for last night's trial against the Storm at Lavington Sports Ground.
All i can say is thank **** for that. He is a injury prone bogan who spends more time on the sidelines than on the field, and is so overated it's not funny. Hopefully this is a sign that we are looking at our own talent in RTS, Wells and Alofa to take the no.1 next year.
And seriously, if Dugan is worth 650k a season SBW is a farkin bargain at 800k.
The Sunday Telegraph has learned that the Raiders have blown other NRL clubs out of the water by offering Dugan $650,000 a season.
Dugan is expected to put pen to paper before the club's round-one clash with Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium on March 3.
The only sticking point remains the fine print on a clause relating to an increase in Dugan's contract when the new TV rights broadcasting deal is negotiated this year.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner will meet Dugan's agent Paul Sutton to thrash out the final terms this week.
"Things are progressing well and we're hopeful of having a decision before the start of the season," Furner said. "I'll be surprised if Josh doesn't stay with us, but like any young player he wanted to test his value on the open market
"But he's told us he wants to stay, we certainly want him to stay and it all seems to be heading in the right direction."
The Raiders remain unconcerned by Dugan's recent off-field behaviour and scheduled appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday. He has been charged with speeding and driving while his licence was suspended.
When Dugan initially announced his intention to test his value on the open market, St George Illawarra, the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters all signalled an intent to lure the Origin fullback.
But after the Dragons withdrew their interest last month and Canterbury and the Roosters baulked at his asking price, the Raiders are on target to retain him.
Furner admitted the Raiders had been forced to match the market value to remain in the race to sign Dugan.
"It's hard for us to attract big names here so it's very important to try and keep our best juniors," Furner said.
"It would be easy if you could just sit back and wait until players were 23 and then come in with a big offer and let another club do all the development work.
"But we're not in a position to do that. Without a doubt, we have to match the market. We know we're a target of other clubs in terms of our juniors.
"The pleasing thing for us is that, generally, our players want to stay. We're hopeful of Josh being the latest."
After re-signing coach Furner and outstanding local prospect Shaun Fensom until the end of 2014, Dugan's signature continues the Raiders' retention drive.
The Raiders spent the past week touring the Riverina region in preparation for last night's trial against the Storm at Lavington Sports Ground.
All i can say is thank **** for that. He is a injury prone bogan who spends more time on the sidelines than on the field, and is so overated it's not funny. Hopefully this is a sign that we are looking at our own talent in RTS, Wells and Alofa to take the no.1 next year.
And seriously, if Dugan is worth 650k a season SBW is a farkin bargain at 800k.
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