Dugan

Axed: Josh Dugan. Photo: Colleen Petch



Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley has urged the Australian Rugby League Commission to take a tough stance towards axed star Josh Dugan in a bid to protect the game's image.


The ARLC confirmed on Thursday it had received a dossier from the Raiders outlining Dugan's numerous indiscretions during his time at the club, including many not previously made public.


Fairfax Media understands Dugan will meet his management on Friday in the first step to continuing his controversial 70-game career at another club.


The one-time NSW fullback has attracted interest from Brisbane and St George Illawarra since he was given his marching orders by the Raiders last week. But Kimmorley hopes the ARLC imposes strict conditions on any new contract Dugan signs. ''I think the brand of our club and the NRL has been tarnished,'' Kimmorley said. ''I don't think repeat offenders should be able to be sacked at one club and go to another.


''We can't keep having players with alcohol-related issues terminated and start again.''


The ARLC will consider Dugan's case only once it receives a contract request from another NRL club.


Kimmorley joined the Raiders' coaching staff at the end of last year after working under Des Hasler at the Bulldogs.


He said he had heard whispers of Dugan's chequered history before he joined the Raiders but didn't find out the full extent until after the 22-year-old was pictured drinking on the roof of teammate Blake Ferguson's house the day after the round-one loss to the Panthers.


''You've previously heard of a few things, whether it was drink-driving or other issues, but not so much until everything went down did you know about how many internal things had happened,'' he said. ''As a coach, you watch plays and think where you think he should be turning up on those plays. I saw that first-hand in week one, the fact he wasn't turning up on some assignments where he should be.''