Cronulla's Josh Dugan has hit back at Gorden Tallis, following calls from the Broncos legend for Dugan to consider retirement due to his record of injury issues.
Tallis was vocal on Dugan's injury woes last month, suggesting on Fox League that the 29-year-old should consider hanging up the boots after receiving a big hit in last month's two-point loss to Brisbane.
โWhether heโs actually injured or whether heโs carrying that many injuries into the game, itโs sad watching a guy do that,โ Tallis said at the time.
โLast night [against Brisbane in round 16] โ the knock that he had โ I donโt think it was that hard. He runs out swathed in bandages from his ankle to his neck and itโs sad watching him.
โIf that was my son, I wouldnโt want him to play like that ... Iโd say, โSon, itโs time to give upโ.โ
Speaking toย The Sydney Morning Herald,ย Dugan pulled no punches regarding his thoughts over the Raging Bull's comments, adamantly defending his fitness and injury record.
โThatโs his opinion - heโs allowed his, Iโm allowed mine, and I think itโs a load of crap,โ Dugan said.
โIโve missed two games all year and feel like Iโve been pretty good on the field and still have a lot to give.
โItโs water off a duckโs back for me. These ex-players need to have a heated opinion. Thatโs the way it is. I donโt watch the news or read papers or buy into the talk shows. Iโm a footy player, I go out and play football and do my job, and I feel lโve done that on the field.
โI donโt stay down. I had three subluxed ribs from Darius Boydโs accidental knee, and when I played against Melbourne the next week I strained my hammy when I slipped on the surface, but I had three painkillers just to play in that game.
โPeople can judge. Every player goes into games with niggles you donโt know about. Itโs about maintenance for me.โโ
Dugan had not directly responded to Tallis' views until now.
The former Origin star may have given a not-so-subtle suggestion to Tallis directly after the comments though, after Dugan scored a try and then made a "shoosh" gesture towards the cameras.
Iโm with Duges on this one. When he was at the dragons he would put his body on the line week after week and never once did I ever see him puss out. He is one of these blokes where you either love him or hate him, no in between.
Although he is playing for our biggest rivals now I still have plenty of time for Duges
Tallis is a knob
redv13 – I 100% Agree that Dugan was great for Saints – right up until Origin in his last year.
After that time he didn’t put in at all because “he wasn’t shown any respect by the Dragons”.
He lost me after that
Who cares what Gorden Tallis thinks. He got away with so many dog shots in his career and is in no position to criticise a player who has tried to overcome many personal demons in his life.