Cronulla Sharks player Josh Dugan plays for cancer victim Gabe Smith
JOSH Dugan has made plenty of colourful headlines during his NRL career, but Central Coast mother Rachael Hilditch saw the heart of the man before her son died of brain cancer in July.
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JOSH Dugan has made plenty of colourful headlines during his NRL career, but Central Coast mother Rachael Hilditch saw the heart of the man before her son died of brain cancer in July.
The strong, mostly silent Sharks centre was almost in tears when he told media he had raised $15,000 for Avoca Beach boy Gabe Smith, who died of a rare brain tumour aged just 13.
“During his treatment Josh came and visited,” Mrs Hilditch said.
“Gabe didn’t even support the Sharks, he was a Manly fan, but Josh took the time to get to know who Gabe was and Gabe loved it.”
Dugan’s playing years have been punctuated with public controversy, but Mrs Hilditch said people only know half the story about a deeply misunderstood man who walked with her son in the final months of his life.
“He appears to be rough and ready, but he is just this big, beautiful human,” Mrs Hilditch said.
“When Gabe relapsed he came to Bear Cottage in Manly and spent the day with us, we had a big Italian feast.
“They would just talk among themselves, it was really quality time.”
Mrs Hilditch said she knows her son made a deep impact on Dugan during their brief friendship.
“Josh wears a band on his wrist with Gabe’s name on it, and when he scores a try, he points to it,” she said.
“His fiance rang me after a game the other week and said he is scoring those amazing tries for Gabe – and I just broke down in tears.”
Mrs Hilditch said she could never thank Dugan enough for his quiet contribution to the last days of Gabe’s life.
“He keeps my boy’s name out there and that means the world to me,” Mrs Hilditch said.
“He offered up his time for us but he doesn’t want anything in return – he says I don’t have to thank him.”
An emotional Dugan told media he had spent five years since he was sacked from the Canberra Raiders trying to change the public perception of his character.
“I know players are responsible for their actions and so am I,” Dugan said.
“I’ve copped a lot for the things I’ve done, I’ve accepted it and I’ve moved on but it doesn’t help when negative stories sell papers more than positive ones.”
Mrs Hilditch said the Dugan she knows just wants to give back.
“People are too quick to perceive some sort of idea about who he is,” Mrs Hilditch said.
“He’s an incredible, giving person, he has been trying to do the right thing, and he does it all without anyone knowing.”
A Sydney Swans jersey signed by every player on the team – which Dugan organised for Gabe when they first met – now sits in a frame in their home.
“Josh went out of his way for us,” Mrs Hilditch said.