Dragons early birthday present for DuganThe NRL could register Josh Dugan's contract to join St George Illawarra for the rest of the season as early as Thursday.
Fairfax Media understands salary-cap auditor Ian Schubert has all but rubber-stamped the deal that will allow the axed Canberra fullback to link with the Dragons for the remainder of the season. Having not played since the Raiders' round-one loss to Penrith, it's unlikely the Dragons will play the former NSW fullback against Gold Coast on Sunday, even if his contract is registered on Thursday. At best, Dugan's likely to have just one training session under his belt with the joint-venture club before the Dragons match on the Gold Coast. Dugan, who on Friday will celebrate his 23rd birthday, could play his first game in the red and white against Parramatta at WIN Stadium next Saturday night.
The imminent signing comes at a vital time for the Dragons, who will be without fullback Gerard Beale for the rest of the season and winger Brett Morris for up to a month. There is a suggestion the Dragons have a clause in his contract banning Dugan from using social media, but a source close to the deal told Fairfax Media the club wouldn't prohibit him from using it. Dugan has given the strongest indication yet that he's learnt from his mistakes after restraining from retaliating to comments on social media on Wednesday. Dugan avoided any chance of jeopardising his future with a light-hearted response to an attack against a tattoo of his parents on Instagram.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dragons-early-birthday-present-for-dugan-20130508-2j838.html#ixzz2SiUwN7Hr
Topic: Dragons early birthday present for axed Raider Dugan
