‘Extremely disappointed’: Sharks Coach lashes star’s blunder

When asked on Friday about Josh Dugan’s Covid-19 breach, Cronulla Sharks interim coach Josh Hannay didn’t mince his words.

Hannay was not impressed by Dugan's actions.

Sharks interim coach Josh Hannay says the club was “extremely disappointed” by Josh Dugan’s decision to breach Covid-19 protocols last week.

Dugan allegedly attended a Potts Points restaurant on June 25 despite the NRL’s Covid-19 biosecurity protocols prohibiting players from leaving their homes unless training, playing or for an essential reason.

The NRL alleges Dugan had “been fully informed of his obligations by his club and chose not to comply with them”.

Dugan, who last played for the Sharks in round 11, has until Monday to challenge the breach notice issued by the NRL or else accept a $25,000 fine.

He is currently completing a 14 day isolation period away from his teammates before he returns to training.

However, as one of three veteran Sharks told in June to look elsewhere for an NRL deal beyond 2021, Dugan has likely played his last game for Cronulla.

News Corp understands Dugan’s Sharks contract is worth around $900,000 per season, but considering his current form, he will likely need to take a large pay cut to continue his NRL career.

“Josh is in isolation so we haven’t had any contact with Josh since the incident,” Hannay told reporters on Friday.

“What I will say is as a club we’re extremely disappointed by (Dugan’s breach).”

Hannay said those working in the game had a responsibility to comply with biosecurity protocols for the safety of those around them.

“Every single player, staff member, employee of the NRL right now has to understand the bigger picture and the importance of their actions and doing the right thing and how delicate the situation is at the moment.

“We need everyone doing the right thing and we need all hands on deck.

“Extremely disappointed in Josh’s actions.”

Hannay said Dugan has yet to contact him and apologise for the breach.

“I haven’t personally heard from Josh, I’m not sure if he’s been in contact with the playing group,” Hannay said.

“At some point obviously in the next couple of weeks he’ll come back into the bubble and we’ll have a face-to-face then. At the moment I haven’t had any conversations with Josh.”

Dugan (R) has played for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup since falling out of favour under Hannay. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Dugan’s breach came just one day after the NRL issued a statement advising that three Bulldogs players — Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham and Aaron Schoupp — had breached protocols in similar circumstances.

“Our biosecurity protocols are the most important part of the competition, they are our licence to continue playing during the pandemic,” said NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo last week. “All clubs and players have a responsibility to ensure they comply with the rules to keep themselves and the community safe.”

Hannay replaced ousted Sharks supremo John Morris earlier this season, and while his tenure as caretaker coach got off to a rocky start, the former Queensland Origin star has guided the Sharks into the top eight with ten rounds of the regular season remaining.

He will be replaced by Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon next year, who will bring new signings Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes with him.

While fellow Sharks reject Shaun Johnson has inked a deal with the Warriors for next season, it remains to be seen whether a club will throw Dugan a lifeline for 2021 and beyond.

The former Raider and Dragon previously indicated he would be interested in a shift to rugby union, revealing in April he had been in contact with All Blacks stars TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith.

“I’m open to it. My first priority would be to stay here in Sydney, but as a player, you only have a certain shelf life,” he said at the time.

“I grew up playing rugby. I actually played rugby before I played rugby league. I made all the rep sides as a kid for rugby and went to a rugby-dominated school with Marist Brothers in Canberra.”