NRL star Josh Dugan rejects offer to join Catalans Dragons

Australia international Josh Dugan has rejected a contract offer from Catalans Dragons, deciding instead to stay at Cronulla and fight for his place.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Sharks are looking to part ways with the former New South Wales centre as they believe that he does not justify his current $800,000 contract.

Dugan was offered to the French club and would’ve played alongside ex-NRL star James Maloney, but he felt that the offer did not meet his standards.

Since the rise of young star Bronson Xerri and the return of Jesse Ramien, Dugan will now have to compete for a place in the Sharks’ starting 13.

He is currently battling it out with Matt Moylan, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Josh Morris and the aforementioned pair of Xerri and Ramien. It is likely that Dugan will be missing out at the start of the 2020 season.

The 29-year-old’s time at the club has been marred with injury since he signed from the St George Illawarra Dragons, but if Dugan is happy to stay and fight for his place at Cronulla, it is looking likely that he will be playing reserve grade with the Newtown Jets, who are the Sharks feeder team.

Dugan still has another two seasons remaining on his current contract, and could possibly earn $1.6 million to play reserve grade.

It is believed that only an offer from a rival NRL side that matches his current contract would be able to sway the centre away from the Shire club.