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From layabout to leader: Dugan rewards Raiders for their perseverance
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
April 11, 2010
THE NEW SENSATION
JARRYD HAYNE isn't the only gifted fullback to have dodged a bullet. Canberra sensation Josh Dugan, who will line up against Hayne in a crucial encounter at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night, was also staring down the barrel, albeit not of a gun in Kings Cross.
Like Hayne, Dugan was thrust into the spotlight as a talented teenager. And just like the Dally M medallist, he didn't handle it all that well.
Like the times he simply refused to turn up to training. On three separate occasions he was dropped from the under-20 team, just as he was pressing his claims for a first-grade spot.
''It was just [a lack of] motivation really,'' Dugan told The Sun-Herald.
''I wasn't ready for that professional footballing life. Training every day and working in between [as a landscaper] when I was playing 20s, it was tough. Having said that, I've realised that this is what I want to do.
''I found it hard at the start but I grew up and matured. My family and friends and teammates have helped me mature as a player and a person.''
The 19-year-old said the prospect of the Raiders giving him the bullet was a wake-up call.
''Big time. I thought I missed out on my chance,'' he said. ''I had to do whatever it took to get back in there.''
Dugan has matured to the point that he shares more in common with Hayne than just a tale of coming under fire, albeit metaphorically.
A quick look at Dugan's stats from last season shows that he stacks up well against the Eels' No.1. The 20-year-old averaged 191.5 running metres in his debut season, the best in the NRL. That form has continued this year - the Canberra junior has averaged 153.8m in the opening four rounds (Hayne 162.5m), made 37 tackle breaks (Hayne 15) and made seven try saves (Hayne has none).
It's little wonder that the Sydney Roosters have him in their sights.
Legendary Raiders fullback Gary Belcher said it would be ''disgraceful'' if the Raiders weren't able to retain Dugan when his contract expires at the end of next season.
''From what I've heard, the Roosters have made a big play at him and he's a big chance of going there,'' Belcher said. ''He is a talent, he's a long-term first-grader and a representative player in the making.
''I'd hate to see a club that spends all that money on development lose him to a club with a bit more money and less inclined to develop their own juniors.''
Dugan, who insisted he would be fit to take on the Eels despite suffering an eye injury against Wests Tigers last Sunday, is relishing being a leader in an inexperienced Raiders back line. Even veteran new recruit Adam Mogg sought Dugan's counsel upon rejoining the club.
''I'm in a position where I have to be a leader,'' Dugan said. ''With my personality, I'm a confident person. In saying that, I'm not an arrogant person, I take everything in my stride.
''I'd do everything to help my teammates and if that means talking and being confident, then that's what I have to do.''
the perfect replacement for mini?
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
April 11, 2010
THE NEW SENSATION
JARRYD HAYNE isn't the only gifted fullback to have dodged a bullet. Canberra sensation Josh Dugan, who will line up against Hayne in a crucial encounter at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night, was also staring down the barrel, albeit not of a gun in Kings Cross.
Like Hayne, Dugan was thrust into the spotlight as a talented teenager. And just like the Dally M medallist, he didn't handle it all that well.
Like the times he simply refused to turn up to training. On three separate occasions he was dropped from the under-20 team, just as he was pressing his claims for a first-grade spot.
''It was just [a lack of] motivation really,'' Dugan told The Sun-Herald.
''I wasn't ready for that professional footballing life. Training every day and working in between [as a landscaper] when I was playing 20s, it was tough. Having said that, I've realised that this is what I want to do.
''I found it hard at the start but I grew up and matured. My family and friends and teammates have helped me mature as a player and a person.''
The 19-year-old said the prospect of the Raiders giving him the bullet was a wake-up call.
''Big time. I thought I missed out on my chance,'' he said. ''I had to do whatever it took to get back in there.''
Dugan has matured to the point that he shares more in common with Hayne than just a tale of coming under fire, albeit metaphorically.
A quick look at Dugan's stats from last season shows that he stacks up well against the Eels' No.1. The 20-year-old averaged 191.5 running metres in his debut season, the best in the NRL. That form has continued this year - the Canberra junior has averaged 153.8m in the opening four rounds (Hayne 162.5m), made 37 tackle breaks (Hayne 15) and made seven try saves (Hayne has none).
It's little wonder that the Sydney Roosters have him in their sights.
Legendary Raiders fullback Gary Belcher said it would be ''disgraceful'' if the Raiders weren't able to retain Dugan when his contract expires at the end of next season.
''From what I've heard, the Roosters have made a big play at him and he's a big chance of going there,'' Belcher said. ''He is a talent, he's a long-term first-grader and a representative player in the making.
''I'd hate to see a club that spends all that money on development lose him to a club with a bit more money and less inclined to develop their own juniors.''
Dugan, who insisted he would be fit to take on the Eels despite suffering an eye injury against Wests Tigers last Sunday, is relishing being a leader in an inexperienced Raiders back line. Even veteran new recruit Adam Mogg sought Dugan's counsel upon rejoining the club.
''I'm in a position where I have to be a leader,'' Dugan said. ''With my personality, I'm a confident person. In saying that, I'm not an arrogant person, I take everything in my stride.
''I'd do everything to help my teammates and if that means talking and being confident, then that's what I have to do.''
the perfect replacement for mini?
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