WHAT position would you rather play? Centre or fullback?
They are the two positions Josh Dugan has played in 2014 at the Dragons.
Dugan believes his days at playing fullback, at least for the rest of this season, are over.
The NSW State of Origin centre says he is relishing the switch to right centre under coach Paul McGregor, who switched the one-time troubled star from No.1 jersey to play in the frontline of defence.
And Dugan and the players are happy McGregor is coach for the next three years.
‘‘Mary [Paul McGregor] has told me that’s where I will stay to at least the end of the season, playing at centre,’’ Dugan said.
‘‘He’s good, Mary. He tells you how it is and he gives you a kick in the backside if you need it.
‘‘You know where you stand with him and I like that, he’s honest.’’
When McGregor replaced Steve Price in late May, one of the first things he did was move Dugan to centre.
McGregor was also the NSW assistant coach to Laurie Daley.
Wen Daley needed a centre to replace injured Josh Morris in Origin II McGregor was consulted by Daley as to if Dugan could fill the spot.
McGregor told Daley Dugan was the man to get the job done.
And Dugan did it with aplomb.
Dugan says he is settling into his role as right centre and clicking with halfback Benji Marshall and right winger Jason Nightingale has seen them form a good attacking combination.
Dugan scored a try and was strong in attack and defence in Sunday’s 34-6 win over the Gold Coast Titans at Kogarah Oval.
Dugan (ankle) and halfback Benji Marshall (ankle) injuries will be monitored for this Friday’s clash against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
St George Illawarra 34 (Benji Marshall, Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Josh Dugan, Gerard Beale, JoelThompson tries; Gareth Widdop five goals) dGoldCoast Titans 6. Crowd: 9584.
POPULAR COACH
Paul McGregor’s appointment as Dragons coach for the next three years has been well received. The players wanted him in charge and many have gone public in recent times expressing their support for the former centre.
TWO MORE GAMES
The Dragons have two more premiership rounds and they are both away games. They tackle Brisbane at 7.45pm this Friday at Suncorp Stadium and tackle Newcastle Knights at 2pm on Sunday, September 7, at Hunter Sports Stadium.
MORRIS RUMOURS
There have been rumours circulating that Brett Morris is being chased by the Bulldogs and to play fullback. The big winger has played in the No.1 jersey for the Dragons before and in the lower grades.
His twin brother Josh is at the Bulldogs and left the Dragons to join them in 2009. Brett is under contract for 2015 at the Dragons. Morris scored a sensational 95 metre try in the 34-6 win over Gold Coast Titans on Sunday at Kogarah Oval. He turned 28 on Saturday.
Despite some media reports, don’t expect the Dragons to release him. He’s a special player with pace and electrifying attacking ability, and the best winger in the game.
Will Paul McGregor be a success as Dragons coach?