Dugan charged with breaching COVID-19 rules
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Sharks star Josh Dugan is set to face a Lithgow court in October after being charged by police with two breaches of COVID-19 directions.
Dugan, 31, was stopped in a car in Lithgow during a patrol on August 20 about 11.30pm. It’s alleged he told police he and his passenger, a 30-year-old male, were moving to the area and were going to feed animals.
Dugan allegedly later told officers they were heading to a friend’s house for the weekend.
Police checked the pair’s IDs, which revealed they were from Gymea and Alexandria. They were ordered to return home.
Officers spotted the car again 40 minutes later, travelling away from Sydney towards Yetholme, police said. They were stopped and ordered to return home.
Out-of-favour Sharks star Josh Dugan looks like he has played his last game in the NRL.Credit:NRL Photos
On Monday, both men were charged with two counts each of failing to comply with COVID-19 directions after further investigation by police. They will face court on October 7.
The incident could lead to Dugan having his Sharks contract terminated, which would save Cronulla a six-figure amount.
The former Kangaroos star did not travel to Queensland with the Sharks to join the NRL bubble but was expected to abide by the NRL’s strict level-four biosecurity protocols while training in Sydney.
Dugan is on a contract worth $800,000 this season. He continues to get paid despite being considered surplus to requirements when the Sharks relocated north.
If the latest incident warrants termination of his contract, the club could save more than $130,000 in payments due to Dugan before his deal expires.
The Sharks have made it clear they won’t re-sign Dugan and this latest controversy caps a tumultuous stint at the club.
The former Raiders and Dragons star has struggled to live up to his price tag and it is unlikely he will add to his 215 first-grade appearances since his NRL debut in 2009.
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