He refused to rule out a positional switch but Cronulla coach John Morris has defended full-back Josh Dugan’s error-riddled performance in the Sharks’ 24-14 loss to Manly on Sunday.
Dugan failed to diffuse a bomb late in the first half allowing Kane Elgey to score a crucial try four minutes out from the interval.
He was also unable to control another kick in the second half, allowing the returning Dylan Walker to score another of the Sea Eagles’ four tries early in the second half.
Dugan copped it on social media but Morris refused to pin the blame on the former NSW star for the disappointing loss.
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“He had some alright touches, Duges, but I think it was just a result of the fact we were very passive in everything we did,” Morris said.
“We didn’t really win the tackle on the ground and we didn’t get out and kick-pressure, we didn’t get back and put numbers around the ball for him.
“We kind of just clocked off in all of those effort areas and at the end of the day he gets exposed at the back, but I think it’s about what happens in front and the frontline getting it right.”
Dugan has lined up at full-back in Cronulla’s previous three games but has also spent time on the wing and at centre in 2019.
Despite his defence of Dugan’s display against Manly, the rookie coach refused to reveal where Dugan will line up against St George Illawarra next Sunday, with Matt Moylan to return from a hamstring injury.
“Not yet,” he said when asked if he knows where Dugan will fit into to the starting side in Round 11.
“Moysa’s got that versatility where he can play full-back and in the halves and Josh has got the versatility where he can play full-back and in the outside backs.
“So we’ve got some decisions to make in a week or so but we’ll have a look during the week and see what the best fit is for our team to take on the Dragons next Sunday.”
Shaun Johnson (hamstring) is expected back in Round 12, with Wade Graham (knee) and Aaron Woods (foot) on target to return as early as Round 13.
