Cronulla centre Josh Dugan lashes out at negative media coverage in emotional press conference
IT was raw emotion at a Cronulla media conference on Tuesday, as Sharks centre Josh Dugan hit out at the NRL media for reporting negative stories and focusing on his past mistakes.
Sharks
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sharks. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Kent: Players have to provide positivity
- NRL teams for finals week 2
- Monday Bunker: Is it too expensive to watch NRL games?
AN emotional Josh Dugan has broken down claiming he is an “easy target” for ridicule stemming from his sacking at Canberra in 2013.
Dugan said he had spent much of the past five years working to change himself as a person but that had failed to transfer to the public sphere. He has been plagued by injuries this season while more recently he was reprimanded for being part of an expletive-riddled podcast.
“I’ve been an easy target since 2013 and I can’t see that changing,” Dugan said. ““Everyone is going to have an opinion on me ever since then. It’s never going to change.
“It’s just draining. That’s it. When is there positive stories? When?
“There’s a few, one every couple of months. But I feel like negativity sells papers.
“I understand players are responsible for their actions and I’m responsible for my actions as well. I’ve copped a lot of brunt for the things I’ve done. I’ve accepted that and moved on from that.
“It also doesn’t help when negativity sells papers more than a good-feel story would.”
Dugan pointed to his diploma in community and social work to highlight his personal growth. He also raised $15,000 and provided support for 13-year-old Gabe Smith who died of a rare brain cancer in July.
Dugan writes “Gabe” on his wrist strapping during matches.
“You don’t hear about that,” Dugan said. “It’s only the bad stuff. I’m used to it. I’ve been trying for the past five years.
“I’ve been doing stuff with the community for the last nine months. Things you don’t hear about.
“It’s a fishbowl. Because of my past, I’m an easy target.
“I don’t watch the news, don’t read the paper, I’m very rarely on social media.”
Skipper Paul Gallen said Dugan does “stress” about how the public perceive him.
“You probably saw in that interview…he’s human like everyone else,” Gallen said.
“Sometimes emotions can get the better of you and get you down and that’s what happened.
“We’ve just got to get him right mentally over the next couple of days.
“I know how much Duges does for other people. He doesn’t go looking for the limelight. He doesn’t have a camera behind his back when he sees a kid in hospital.”
Get 3 months free Sport HD + Entertainment on a 12 month plan and watch every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. T & Cs apply. SIGN UP NOW >