NRL 2021: Josh Dugan sacked by Cronulla Sharks over Covid breach

Josh Dugan claims he was forced into retirement because he could not afford to pay the $150,000 in combined Covid breach fines from Cronulla and the NRL.

Sharks player Josh Dugan at an NRL Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks training session in Sydney, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

Josh Dugan was forced to retire from rugby league because he could not afford to pay an approximate $150,000 in combined Covid breach fines.

Dugan claimed “a broken fine’s system” ended his career, with the former international left with no choice but to accept a “mutual” termination.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Dugan would have been forced to apply for a bank loan to continue his career, with the fallen star facing a shortfall of a $30,000 had he put every cent of his contract into paying off the loan.

While wanting to continue in the NRL next season, the former State of Origin star would have had to secure a one-year deal to pay off the loan.

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Josh Dugan claims he was forced into retirement after being unable to pay Covid breach fines from the Sharks and the NRL. Picture: Getty Images.

“There would have been no point in me playing on when the fine system is broken,” Dugan (right) said.

“The NRL fined me and then the Sharks fined me. That forced my hand into agreeing to the termination.”

Unable to come up with the cash to pay the fines, which were issued by both the Sharks and the NRL in what he claimed was “double dipping”, Dugan was forced to retire from rugby league.

Having been fined a reported $75,000 by the NRL for two Covid breach offences, Dugan revealed he was fined an additional $75,000 by his club.

Dugan unsuccessfully lobbied to have part of the first NRL fine suspended after he was given a $25,000 fine for breaching Covid protocols by attending a Potts Point restaurant on June 24.

Dugan’s request was knocked back by the NRL even though several players had been granted suspended fines for Covid breaches.

Dugan has accused the NRL of double standards over fines. Apisai Koroisau was fined $15k for his Covid breach, while Dugan was fined $50k for his second breach. Picture: Getty Images.

Facing up to life without rugby league after a glittering 215 game career, Dugan also hit out at the NRL’s double standards when it came to the size of the fines.

“Why was I fined 50k when others were fined 10k,” Dugan said of his second fine, which was issued after he breached Covid protocols by travelling to Lithgow,

“It makes no sense and the NRL did not stop once to consider my welfare.”

Dugan defended his trip to Lithgow, which became headline news when he was charge by police.

“I was in the process of moving house,” Dugan said.

“But the NRL deemed that not essential or necessary even after I explained my situation and also told them about my mental state. Like I said, they didn’t care and decided $50k was adequate. It makes no sense.”

Dugan’s manager Paul Sutton said Dugan could not afford to continue playing rugby league.

“He had to walk away because he couldn’t come up with the money,” said Dugan’s agent Paul Sutton.

“He was forced into retirement because of the fines. He simply couldn’t continue because there was no guarantee he would have been able to earn enough money to pay the fine let alone take home a wage.

Josh Dugan played just eight games for the Sharks in 2021 before being dropped to play Reserve Grade for the Newtown Jets. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Sutton revealed that Dugan was fined an additional $75,000 by the Sharks after being fined $75,000 by the NRL for two Covid breaches.

Dugan was issued a combined $100,000 in fines – excluding additional police fines that could be levelled – when he was stopped by police in Lithgow, which was a breach of both NRL and government Covid regulations.

Police will allege Dugan and another man changed their story after being found in Lithgow, 150km from his Gymea home while the state was in lockdown.

Dugan, 31, will defend the latest police charges in court on October 7.

After playing 215 NRL games, including just eight this year, Dugan on Friday announced his retirement.

“It‘s been a roller coaster throughout my career but due to my support network and my own grit and determination [I] never gave up or took an easy option, in doing that I got to represent my country and state while playing over 200 games,” Dugan wrote on Instagram.

“To my teammates over the years thank you, staff and coaches alike thank you. [I] Made some lifelong brotherhoods and had some unreal opportunities.”

IT’S OVER: DUGAN’S SHARK FATE SEALED

—Phil Rothfield

The Cronulla Sharks have sacked wayward star Josh Dugan with six weeks remaining on his contract.

A decision to terminate the contract will cost Dugan $120,000 – the remaining portion of his deal.

The Sharks’ disciplinary committee made the decision to sack the former NSW Blues and Kangaroos star for his second Covid-19 breach after a hearing earlier this week.

The $950,000-a-year fullback or centre has also been fined $75,000 by the NRL over the breaches.

Police will allege Dugan and another man changed their story after being found in Lithgow, 150km from his Gymea home while the state was in lockdown.

Dugan, 31, will defend the latest police charges in court on October 7.

His manager Paul Sutton has been looking for other opportunities in the NRL and UK Super League.

At this stage there has been little interest.

Dugan has played 215 NRL games, but only eight for the Sharks this year.

Coach Josh Hannay decided against taking him to southeast Queensland with the rest of the squad.

At the height of his career, Dugan played 12 Test matches for the Kangaroos and another 12 games for the NSW Blues in State of Origin.

Josh Dugan could be sacked, after being charged by police after allegedly breaching the public health orders. Picture: AAP.

COSTLY ERROR OF STUPIDITY

—Phil Rothfield

Dugan’s journey to Lithgow ‘to feed animals’ last weekend could cost the Cronulla Sharks star a whopping $255,000 for his stupidity and blatant disregard for Covid laws.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the Sharks are considering tearing up his contract – worth $80,000 a month – once they have followed a disciplinary process and given Dugan the opportunity to present his case.

The fullback/centre would lose his remaining contract money for September and October on top of $75,000 in fines from the NRL and a $20,000 fine from the Cronulla Sharks.

He has just two months remaining on his $950,000 contract with the Shark.

The original suspended $20,000 fine from Dugan’s previous Covid breach at a restaurant in Potts Point on June 25 has now also been activated.

The 31-year-old will defend the latest police charges in court on October 7.

The rugby league career of the 31-year-old veteran now appears to be over.

His agent has been unable to attract any interest from NRL clubs or UK Super League franchises.

Police will allege Dugan and another man changed their story after being found in Lithgow, 150 kilometres from his Gymea home.

“The driver allegedly told police they were moving to the area and were going to feed animals, however later admitted they were heading to a friend’s house for the weekend,” a police spokesman said.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Josh Dugan sacked by Cronulla Sharks over Covid breach