Respective fullbacks for their clubs, Sam Perrett and Josh Dugan clash this Sunday as the Bulldogs take on the Dragons at ANZ Stadium.
Coming off an injury he suffered in the Charity Shield, Josh Dugan has played 4 games this season, scoring 1 try and averaging 175m per game. He’s well on his way to an Origin jersey again, with Jarryd Hayne likely to play in the centres for NSW.
Dugan was a revelation for Canberra when they won the NYC Competition in 2008. The very next year he made his debut in first grade and has since played 84 career matches, with 34 tries at a strike rate of 0.40. Dugan has also received 3 NSW jerseys and an NRL All Stars jersey back in 2011/12.
Sam Perrett was awarded with the Bulldogs custodian role after Ben Barba departed the club at the end of last year. Perrett is making an art form out of keeping the defence honest, with his 494 kick return metres behind only Souths superstar Greg Inglis (613m) and Roosters veteran Anthony Minichiello (588m) in the competition.
“I think externally a lot of people were concerned about what we were going to do for a fullback, but Sam clearly showed up as someone that was more than capable of playing there and he’s been outstanding for us to be honest.
“He’s a guy that played there a few seasons back for the roosters when ‘mini’ [Minichello] was injured and he was terrific for them and he’s handled it terrifically. Really good fellow to have around the club and just a tireless work-rate on the field, he’s a real handful for defenders. Obviously up against a very good fullback this week so it will be a good battle,” said captain Michael Ennis.
Two very contrasting styles between the Dugan and Perrett make for a very interesting spectacle. You can assume Dugan will be sniffing out holes in the defence, often stepping or bumping his way through the line. Dugan’s counter attack is world class, but the ever-reliable Perrett will defuse bombs all day and is said to be one of the best dummy half scoot runners in the world.
“Every team needs a good fullback not just in attack but in defence as well. They really tell you where you need to be and they’ve got the best eyes for setting up where the plays are going to go.
“That’s what he’s been doing and I’m sure he’s still got a long way to go in terms of where he wants to be as a fullback but this year he’s been doing a tremendous job. So if he keeps continuing the way he is then he’ll be out there with the best of them, that’s for sure,” said fellow clubman Aiden Tolman.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
ANZ Stadium
Sunday, 11th May
3:00pm Kickoff
12:40pm Gates Open
Take your Mum to see the Dragons take on the Bulldogs with a Mother's Day special ticket offer! You can purchase Gold reserved tickets at Silver prices (a saving of 25%) or a General Admission Family Pass (2 Adults and 2 Juniors) for only $25 (a saving of 35%) to this weekend's game against the Bulldogs!
Watch Dragons Winger Brett Morris go head-to-head against twin brother Josh, who will be wearing blue and white as a Bulldogs centre. To check out the boys talking about the influence their Mum had on their stellar careers, head to www.nrl.com.
With an NRL kids activity zone, a free gift for Mum (limited availability) and a special Mother's Day pamper zone (outside Aisle 134), there is something for every Rugby League Mum at ANZ Stadium this weekend!
Tickets available here: – http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?pp=QLAST&sh=DRAG0914
