NRL GREATS BOOST FOR SHIELD PROSPECTS
THE marquee signings of two former NRL stars could be a foundation from which Cairns can build a team capable of snapping its long Foley Shield drought and securing a place in the state championship final.
Ivanhoes’ acquisition of Josh Dugan on a two-year deal is the biggest coup in the club’s recent history, and comes in a year the Knights celebrate 100 years of rugby league.
Dugan brings with him 215 NRL games, 12 Origins and 12 Internationals of experience.
He scored 79 tries in his NRL career, which started in 2009 at the Raiders and ended at the Sharks in 2021, with a five-year stint at the Dragons wedged in the middle.
Only 18 months removed from the NRL, Dugan’s signing comes after Mossman-Port Douglas signed fellow former NRL star Ben Barba.
Barba brings enormous pedigree to the club. He won the NRL’s Dally M Medal in 2012, was part of the Sharks’ maiden NRL premiership in 2016, and in 2018 won the Man of Steel for the Super League’s Player of the Year after starring for St Helens.
He was cleared to return to community rugby league in 2020, which he did for Carltons Red Devils in the Rugby League Mackay & District competition, and he is set to suit up for the Sharks in 2023.
FNQRL chairman Rob White praised the clubs for their ability to attract the big names to the region, and pondered how good a Cairns team could be at the Foley Shield, to be held in the Far North for the first time in recent memory, should they be available and in form.
“If they’re playing at a level that can get them into that Foley Shield team, that would be very good for the competition and the team,” he said.
“(Dugan) is a big coup for the Ivanhoes club. He is a fantastic player, he had an outstanding career.
“It gauges well for the competition having that NRL level of talent in the teams, and what it can do for the rest of the league.
“That won’t just rub off on other players at the club, but you’d expect to see it across the competition as they rise to the challenge of playing against these players.”
While they are set to star in the FNQRL, the Northern Pride has not had any discussion about bringing either Dugan or Barba on board.
“There’s been no discussion,” said Pride coach Ty Williams.
“It’s a solid effort by the MossmanPort Douglas Sharks and Ivanhoes getting two high quality footballers into the league.”
It is away from the spotlight Dugan has done some of his most meaningful and impressive work in the community. And that is what he wants to continue when he arrives in the Far North, according to Ivanhoes coach Lindsay Styles.
“He wanted to move up and get involved in junior development in rugby league, and to be involved with Indigenous youth,” Styles said.
“He wants to leave a footprint or legacy somewhere, and Cairns really appealed to him.
“It’s not a hit-and-run mission, he’s dedicated two years to us.
“He’s wants to be embedded, he’s genuinely interested and passionate in making a difference.”
The oldest club in Cairns, Ivanhoes will celebrate 100 years since Hugh Kennedy became president of the newly formed club in Bungalow.
The FNQRL competition has been reduced by two weeks to 18 rounds.
It is understood clubs have a final draw for review, with a release expected in the next fortnight.