Big money pairing Josh Dugan and Chad Townsend forced to show their wares in NSW Cup

Josh Dugan is fighting to save his NRL career — which is tough when you’re playing in front of a tiny crowd on a suburban oval.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - Pictured is Josh Dugan playing in Reserve Grade for the Newtown Jets against the Penrith Panthers at Henson Park in Marrickville today. Picture: Tim Hunter.

In front of a sparse crowd of less than 1000 people on a suburban Sydney oval Josh Dugan, Cronulla’s $900,000 reserve grader, fought to save his NRL career.

He had $600,000 halfback Chad Townsend there with him.

And even old coach John Morris dropped in to check it out.

The off-contract Dugan will leave the Sharks at season’s end and after being sent back to NSW Cup he showed his wares to potential suitors in the famous royal blue of Cronulla’s feeder club Newtown at Henson Park.

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Josh Dugan playing for the Newtown Jets against the Penrith Panthers at Henson Park. Picture: Tim Hunter

“My footy has always done the talking and everything comes off the back of that,” Dugan said.

“There’s a couple of options (for next year). I’m just trying to focus on getting into some footy and playing consistently.

“I’d definitely prefer to stay in the NRL over Super League. I have options on either side so it’ll just depend on where my heads at. I don’t really want to move 24 hours away overseas.

“I feel like I have a couple more years in me but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

The humble confines of Henson Park are a world away from the glitz and glamour of the representative stage Dugan once graced, but along with Townsend the former Test and Origin flyer did what he could to convince interim coach Josh Hannay of an NRL reprieve.

(L-R) Chad Townsend and Josh Dugan are on a combined $1.5 million this year. Picture: Tim Hunter

Dugan said Hannay, who was watching on from the King George V stand, had not told him specifically what he had to work on to crack first grade again but the 31-year old knew what he had to do and was happy with his own performance.

“He didn’t (say exactly), but I know what I have to do - strong carries, strong defence and get involved and I thought I was pretty good today,” Dugan said.

“It’s going to be the coaches decision what happens, I’ll keep turning up and doing what I have to and this was one of those days.”

The ladder-leading Panthers proved to have too much for the Jets with Newtown going down 32-16, but Dugan was solid at right centre, getting through plenty of work with ball in hand despite getting precious few attacking chances.

Dugan has been forced to audition for a new NRL contract via the NSW Cup. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The punters on the hill certainly enjoyed seeing a player of Dugan’s profile — they rose as one with every touch and if he’d stopped by the Henson Park Hotel on the way home there would have been plenty of beers — or cruisers — on offer.

Dugan had a torrid running battle with Penrith centre Thomas Jenkins, a development player who gave the bigger name plenty to worry about in defence.

Hannay watched on from the King George V stand along with almost all of the Cronulla top squad including Shaun Johnson, Aaron Woods and Matt Moylan — three more big names on the lookout for new homes for next season.

Morris, who was controversially sacked by the club earlier this year after they appointed Craig Fitzgibbon to the top job for 2022, was also spotted and was in good spirits as he caught up with his former charges.

Townsend was tidy enough at halfback, setting up a try for winger Nene Macdonald, booting a sideline conversion and directing the team around the park well.

Chad Townsend, who will be at the Cowboys in 2022, was tidy for the Newtown Jets. Picture: Tim Hunter.

With Shaun Johnson and Matt Moylan hitting form in first grade, the 30-year old could be forced to bide his time before he links up with North Queensland next year.

Townsend may yet angle for a mid-season release to his new club but Dugan’s career is at a far greater crossroads than the former premiership-winning half-back’s.

Dugan isn’t the first big name to come through Henson Park — the likes of Anthony Minichiello, Willie Mason, Nate Myles, Todd Carney and Andrew Fifita have all had a run with Newtown and the Jets can be a fine place to relaunch an NRL career.

And a relaunch is just what Dugan needs — he’s battled injury and ill-form for the last 12 months and will have to take a significant pay cut if he’s to continue his time in the NRL.

Plenty of clubs could still use a player of Dugan’s experience and while he may never be the attacking threat he was at his peak the former Raider and Dragon can still be dangerous with ball in hand.

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