St George Illawarra officials at loggerheads over off-contract star Josh Dugan’s future

ST GEORGE Illawarra’s internal conflict over the off-contract star Josh Dugan has stalled the NSW star’s contract negotiations.

Dragons staff don’t seem to agree on Josh Dugan’s best position. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

ANGRY St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor and the club’s recruitment manager Ian Millward appear to be at loggerheads regarding the future of off-contract star Josh Dugan.

McGregor wants Dugan to remain as the club’s fullback — a position Dugan wants to play. However, Millward, the man who has been entrusted with securing the club’s playing roster, believes Dugan’s best position is at centre.

The confusion has resulted in a stalemate in Dugan’s contract negotiations, after Dugan baulked at St George Illawarra’s $750,000 a year offer — below the $1 million he could command as one of the game’s elite fullbacks.

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In a somewhat tense press conference to help launch Tuesday’s annual Anzac Day clash against the Roosters at the Spirit Of Anzac exhibition at the Convention Centre Darling Harbour, McGregor fired up at suggestions the club was sending a mixed messages regarding Dugan’s future.

“If I’m coach, I’ll be picking the side and the number that I want them to play,” McGregor said. “It’s that simple. At the moment Josh Dugan is the best fullback at the club.

“Regardless of the money he’s on next year, the coach will decide where Josh plays whether it be fullback or centre.”

McGregor, Jason Nightingale, Jake Friend and Trent Robinson launch the ANZAC Day game. Photo Mark Evans

The situation is further complicated by McGregor’s separation from contract negotiations while his own future is also undecided, with the club yet to table a new deal despite the Dragons sitting on top of the premiership ladder.

Dugan will make his return from a hamstring injury on Tuesday and has a chance to impress the Roosters, who are preparing to poach Dugan should they fall short in their bid to secure James Tedesco.

“The club know my situation,” McGregor said. “And my situation is that if I’m coaching in 2018 and Josh Dugan’s at the club, he’ll play fullback. But it’s 2017, a lot can change in six months.

I suppose I started this ride because in 2014 when I took over from Steve (Price) I actually put Josh to centre. So now all of a sudden there’s an argument over whether he’s a centre or a fullback and he’s playing right centre for Australia.

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“I don’t think there’s a right and wrong answer. It’s what fits the footy team. So if in 2018 for argument’s sake, if right centre is the position for Josh, he’ll play there. Right now he’s playing really good football in a position he likes to play.

“What if another coach is there? Will he decide where he plays? The value of a player is what a club wants to play a player and what the management wants for the player and it’s up to the coach to decide what position he plays when he’s at the club. That’s how it works.

So let Josh’s management and the club management work out what he’s worth and I’ll work out where he’s going to play.”

Roosters co-captain set the scene for another fiery Anzac Day clash saying his side would “not take back” claims the Dragons players milked penalties last year. McGregor and his Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson clashed post-game after Robinson and Friend questioned St George Illawarra players feigning injuries for the second consecutive Anzac Day clash.

“I’m not going to dwell on it now and go back into it, but I’m sure they’ll be talking about it in their sheds,” Friend said. “We said what we did last year and we’re not taking that back.

“I’ve put it out there (for them to use as motivation) so it’s up to them whether they do or don’t. I’m sure it’s been touched on.”