Josh Dugan’s NRL career is hanging by a thread after the Sharks star was slapped with a $50,000 fine by the NRL for breaching the code’s COVID-19 protocols for the second time.
Just days after Cronulla legend Paul Gallen admitted Dugan’s time in the NRL was likely over, the NRL put another nail in the coffin by whacking him with a massive fine for driving to Lithgow, attracting police attention for breaching public health orders.
“In considering the proposed penalty, the NRL took into account that the alleged breach was Dugan’s second serious contravention of biosecurity protocols in the past two months,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The NRL alleges that Dugan has shown a continued failure to comply with the protocols and poses an unacceptable risk to his teammates in the NSW bubble.”
Dugan has five days to respond to the breach notice.
Dugan was instructed by police to turn back and return to the Sutherland Shire but was caught again 40 minutes later driving away from Sydney.
After a police investigation, he was charged with two counts of not complying with public health orders. He will face Lithgow Local Court on Thursday, October 7.
Last month, Dugan was fined $25,000 by the NRL for breaking the code’s protocols when he went to a restaurant.
NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler said it was “sad” to see the same behavioural issues that dogged Dugan throughout his time in the NRL, continue into the autumn of his career.
“It’s a bit sad I think,” NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler told Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show.
“The things around behaviour that challenged Josh at the start of his career are still challenging him at the end of his career.
“I suppose we’ve got to wait and see what his excuse is and how he’s going to appeal, but, yeah, he hasn’t learnt.”
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