NRL 2021: Sharks star Josh Dugan rushed to hospital after training mishap

Josh Dugan sent a huge scare through Cronulla and had to be hospitalised after a heavy collision at training. Here’s the latest on his condition.

Sharks star Josh Dugan. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Cronulla Sharks centre Josh Dugan has been given the all clear after fears he had suffered a serious neck injury at training on Friday morning.

Dugan was rushed to Sutherland Hospital via ambulance having been involved in a heavy collision with a teammate at Sharks training.

The former Kangaroos centre was immobilised on the field before being sent to hospital for scans. The tests showed no serious damage with Dugan released from hospital and home by the afternoon.

Dugan is expected to return to full training next week.

Josh Dugan was rushed to hospital in an ambulance after a training mishap. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Cronulla coach John Morris said it was a massive relief when Dugan received the good news.

“Josh has been training strongly throughout the summer and was also having a good day and a good session today until the mishap, so it is a big relief to all of us that it hasn’t turned out to be a serious injury,” Morris said.

“I would also say, with potential injuries of this nature there can’t be any shortcuts or risks taken and I was very impressed with the way our medical team immobilised Josh, stretchered him from the field and professionally handled the situation.”

The Sharks head into the start of the season already missing the likes of Shaun Johnson, Royce Hunt and Siosifa Talakai.

The injury-prone veteran suffered what was thought to be a neck injury in a contact-drill collision.

Tests in hospital have cleared the 30-year-old centre of serious injury.

“It was more a precautionary measure,” said media spokesman Rob Willis.

“He got a heavy knock to the neck/shoulder area. They were just very cautious and didn’t want to take any risks.”

Dugan is often criticised for going down with injuries during games.

Former Kangaroo and Origin star Gorden Tallis criticised Dugan in 2019.

“Every time I watch Josh Dugan, it’s a painful watch,” he said.

“I don’t like watching him play.”

Dugan is in the final year of his $900,000 contract with the Sharks, fighting to prove he is worthy of another NRL contract.

He is expected to be available for round one of the competition.