Former NRL star Josh Dugan threatening to sue former employers for unlawful termination

Former NRL star Josh Dugan is threating to take legal action against the Cronulla Sharks as believes his contract was wrongfully terminated during the 2021 season for a Covid breach.

Dugan, who is probably best remembered in England as the player who’s last ditch tackle stopped Kallum Watkins in the 2017 World Cup final, reportedly broke New South Wales law by driving outside of his local government area during a lockdown.

The former Kangaroo claims he was travelling to property he was moving to at the time to feed some animals and therefore believes the termination was unlawful.

The situation is currently in front of courts in Australia with a decision coming on December 2^nd.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Dugan’s solicitor Paul McGirr believes the former player could have a civil action case if the courts find he was terminated unlawfully.

Dugan had two months left on his $850,000 contract left and was also fined $50,000 by the NRL meaning a civil case could result in Dugan being given money owed.

His solicitor McGirr had this to say;

““He was terminated because of this breach, therefore, you would think if he had been terminated unlawfully, he would have to have a civil action,” McGirr explained. “And not only for the losses at the time for the particular matter but his name and reputation have been sullied. Josh Dugan has always declared his innocence in respect to this.

“He is certainly looking at his legal options in respect to an action against his employer at the time.

“If the case is that he was terminated for this then he would certainly look at exercising his options.”

Dugan retired from the NRL following his dismissal from the Sharks but has since been playing rugby at a lower grade level.