The NRL, misbehaving players and code destroying headlines go together like peanut butter and jelly. If there is something the NRL have tried to shake but never will, it is the reputation that some players carry with them.

You know what Iโ€™m speaking about. Just ask the weird people who donโ€™t follow rugby league about their thoughts on rugby league players: โ€˜Druggies, alcoholics, grubs, women abusers etc.โ€™, sounds more like a casting call for a Scarface remake rather than a NRL roster.

So, after what seems like the longest off-season in NRL history, another player has been in the headlines for the wrong reason. Ben Barba has been sacked by his new club, the North Queensland Cowboys without a game to his name, after allegedly caught on CCTV being violated to his Partner, the mother of his 4 daughters. I commend the Cowboys and NRL's swift action of sacking Ben Barba after viewing the footage.

After all, Barba was on his third strike already and was on an extremely tight ship. Is it one thing to get in a fight with one of your teammates, is it another thing to test positive to cocaine twice but to physically assault a woman in such a public place like a Casino is completely unforgivable. Ben Barba now joins a long list of NRL players whose reputation overtook their ability to preform on the field.

2. Josh Dugan

The only current NRL player on this list but Josh Duganโ€™s reputation often overshadows his on-field efforts. There must be something in the water down the federal highway as past Raiders players are becoming a frequent mention. His rap sheet peaked when he posted that now infamous pineapple cruiser photo to Instagram accompanied by a middle finger to his coach.

Then Dugan, along with Blake Ferguson were black listed from the current NSW team after breaking team protocol and sneaking off to have a beer away from their origin teammates. He is on thin ice now and if another scandal comes up it would be hard to imagine if a club would rescue him.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Josh Dugan of the Sharks looks on during the NRL trial match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

11 COMMENTS

  5. I canโ€™t see why Dugan is on this list to be honest. Surely as a journo you could do your job properly and find other players past or present to fill this list besides Josh Dugan.

    Surely that dope that the eels bought for this year from the chooks should be on the list before Dugan.

    How about the ex Knights player that got done and served GAOL time for drugs. Pretty sure he screwed his career.

  6. As far as I’m aware Josh Dugan has not committed any crimes and, while his behaviour is at times childish, he doesn’t belong on this list. I don’t think he has ruined his career and I’m not aware that either he or Ferguson are black listed from the NSW team. To the contrary, I understand that Brad Fittler holds Ferguson in high regard and remains in consideration for the Blues. How Hayne isn’t on the top of this list is beyond me.

  7. I’d also add, has Hayne actually been convicted of anything to date?
    I’m not saying he won’t be, and he’s certainly a “hot potatoe” at the moment, but right now how could John put him on his list over so many other potential candidates?

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