Ex-NRL star Josh Dugan makes shock retirement u-turn

Josh Dugan has made a shock retirement u-turn as he returns to rugby league.

Dugan had hung up his boots during the 2021 NRL season after having his contract terminated by the Cronulla Sharks for a second COVID-19 breach.

The club released a statement saying Dugan’s management “mutually” agreed to the immediate termination of his contract, with the Australian centre responding.

“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 whilst playing over 200 games,” he 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.

“My next chapter involves community work and hopefully running my own business.”

But, it has since been revealed that Dugan will make his comeback for the Mittagong Lions – a side in the Group 6 Rugby League competition.

Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont recently revealed that he had tried to get Dugan to the UK Super League back in 2021.

“We had agree terms with Corey Norman’s agent and the he decided to retire,” Beaumont told Serious About Rugby League.

“We also agreed terms with Josh Dugan’s agent and he decided not to take it up.

“It’s one thing the agent being happy with something but then the player has got to agree with it too.”