Raiders captain David Shillington has urged the public not to be too harsh on troubled star Josh Dugan. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited
CANBERRA skipper Dave Shillington, the man who effectively removed Josh Dugan from the Raiders, has urged the public against "crucifying" the troubled star.
Less than 24 hours after Dugan's meltdown on Instagram, Shillington said he hoped the 22-year-old would remain in the NRL.
The Queensland and Kangaroo prop, who headed the Raiders' leadership group which lost confidence in the wayward fullback, also urged Dugan to give up social media following his latest "snap".
"I don't want to see Josh Dugan lost from the game," Shillington said last night.
'He didn't fit in with our mould here at Canberra, but I hope he turns it around; that a club will pick him up and give him the right guidance. He's a young guy who needs help. Everyone deserves a second chance and I don't think we should crucify him."
While Raiders coach David Furner refused to be drawn on the issue - "I don't want to waste any time on that, I've got other problems" - Shillington said he feared Dugan had simply become overwhelmed by his critics on Twitter and Instagram.
"It's human nature to throw stones pretty harshly at people with a public profile and he's copped some serious criticism," Shillington said. "I'm not sure if many people would handle that well. He's cracked. He's only human.
"Everyone is guilty of snapping. It's the same for those on $50,000 as it is for people on $500,000.
"I haven't heard everything, but I understand Josh has come under serious fire on Twitter and hit back inappropriately. Everyone has been guilty of that, of snapping.
"As footballers, we have a responsibility to behave ourselves. To cop the criticism. But everyone is human, everyone has a breaking point. I want to see him get help."
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