Former NRL bad boy Josh Dugan is sent off for throwing punches during bush footy game in NSW

Former NRL bad boy Josh Dugan is sent off for throwing punches during bush footy game as WILD brawl erupts

  • Josh Dugan took swings at an opponent during a bush footy game in NSW
  • The former Australia star now plays for the Orange United Warriors
  • The incident happened at the end of the game against the Trundle Boomers
  • The Warriors reached the Grand Final of the Woodbridge Cup with a 26-16 win
  • But Dugan could miss the Grand Final if he is suspended after being sent off 

Former NRL star Josh Dugan was sent off for throwing punches during a bush footy game in New South Wales at the weekend as the match descended into a brawl.

The 32-year-old was playing for the Orange United Warriors against the Trundle Boomers when he ran the ball dead on the final play of the game.

One of his opponents took exception to Dugan’s behaviour and the two took swings at each other, with the skirmish swiftly descending into an all-out brawl involving several players from both teams.

Former NRL star Josh Dugan (left) was sent off for throwing punches in a bush footy game

Dugan and one of his opponents traded punches, before players from both sides joined in

Dugan and one of his opponents traded punches, before players from both sides joined in

The Warriors beat the Boomers 26-16 to make the Grand Final of the Woodbridge Cup, a competition which includes smaller senior clubs in the Mid-West and Central West of the state.

Dugan, however, could miss the Grand Final against Oberon Tigers next week through suspension after he and his opponent were both sent off for their role in the incident. 

Dugan joined the Warriors this season after he announced his retirement from NRL in September last year after the Sharks parted ways with him. 

‘For me personally, it’s about getting back to community and helping out the Indigenous boys,’ he told The Western Advocate in March.

‘I just got my diploma in counselling, so if I can be some sort of mentor or someone these guys can lean on then I’m all for it.’

The former Canberra, St George and Cronulla star had originally planned to spend 12 months out of the game, but soon realised he could not stay away from footy.

The 32-year-old retired from the NRL in September last year after playing 215 games

The 32-year-old retired from the NRL in September last year after playing 215 games 

The former New South Wales and Australia star had his contract terminated by Cronulla for repeated breaches of the NRL¿s Covid policies

The former New South Wales and Australia star had his contract terminated by Cronulla for repeated breaches of the NRL’s Covid policies

‘I’ve started missing the game and I’m keen to get back into it and have a bit of fun.

‘I will take games seriously, but it’s not the high pressure situation that first grade was, day in and day out.’

Dugan played 215 NRL games in his career and played 12 times each for New South Wales and Australia, but the Sharks terminated the remainder of his contract for repeated breaches of the NRL’s Covid policies.

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