Deliver please Dugan

RAIDERS coach David Furner says it is up to superstar Josh Dugan to prove he can be a strong long-term five-eighth for the club.

Josh Dugan

RAIDERS coach David Furner says it is up to superstar Josh Dugan to prove he can be a strong long-term five-eighth for the club after he was named in the No. 6 jumper yesterday.

In a shock move, Furner yesterday dropped halfback Sam Williams and recalled Dugan and winger Blake Ferguson after the pair were stood down for the club's 36-18 loss to the Rabbitohs on Friday.

Despite Dugan being the heavy favourite to play at fullback for NSW in State of Origin before injuring his shoulder in round three, Furner denied he is taking a huge gamble by moving Dugan to the halves when they host the Wests Tigers on Saturday.

He said the decision was made to suit changes to their style of gameplan and to strengthen the club's defensive line following a high number of missed tackles in recent games.

Dugan's shock move to five-eighth has created massive SuperCoach opportunities - but not for the man himself.

While Dugan's scores are likely to stay steady in his new role (decreased runs will be cancelled out by increased tackles), his positional switch has created serious openings for cut price rookies Edrick Lee and Dimirti Pelo.

Dugan's five-eighth switch is also great news for Reece Robinson, who retained his spot at fullback - where he scores massive for SuperCoach.

Raiders: Reece Robinson, Dimitri Pelo, Jarrod Croker, Blake Ferguson, Edrick Lee, Josh Dugan, Josh Mccrone, David Shillington (c), Travis Waddell, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Josh Papalii, Joel Thompson, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Shaun Berrigan, Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Dane Tilse, Sam Mataora

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