After the high profile announcement that Canterbury Bulldogs star and 2012 Dally M winner Ben Barba was briefly stood down indefinitely for behavioural issues, Canberra Raiders’ Josh Dugan has become the latest star sanctioned, with the Raiders voiding the remaining two years of his contract.

The decision came after Dugan and teammate Blake Ferguson were both photographed on the rooftop of a Canberra home consuming alcohol and failed to attend a compulsory rehab session for injured players.

Addressing the media, Canberra CEO Don Furner outlined the united stance of the club.

‘It was a unanimous decision,” Furner said.

‘The board resolved that there was no other alternative but to set him loose. We are comfortable with the decision.’

Pure and simple, Canberra got fed up with Dugan’s antics.

Let’s make things clear; this isn’t just an isolated incident. Dugan has had several off-field problems since making his debut in 2009. He is a local junior, has played representative football for country origin and New South Wales in 2011, as well as being selected for the NRL All Stars.

Dugan is an up and coming star of the NRL, though his constant injury problems and ill-discipline are certainly hindering his performances.

The Raiders had high hopes for the 22-year-old, which explains the time and faith invested in the troubled full-back or five-eighth option. You could just imagine the frustration on Furner’s face. Canberra are already in hot water this year – one of the six clubs still being investigated by the ACC and ASADA for alleged player doping – they didn’t need this.

Despite his unquestionable talent and local stardom, Dugan ran himself out of town.

Canberra should be commended for their decision, it would’ve been extremely tough. But the fact that Dugan and Ferguson didn’t follow team protocol and decided to skip the recovery training session shows a distinct lack of respect.

Ferguson can count himself lucky that he only received a fine, albeit a sizeable one at $10,000. He could’ve had few arguments if the door was shown to him too.

Players taking pictures of themselves drinking together isn’t a shock, but posting it on Twitter is remarkably stupid.

Dugan surely had to know that another misdemeanour would end his Canberra career. The Raiders must wondering, why us? First it was Todd Carney, who after being sacked by the Raiders in 2008, went on to win the Dally M medal in 2010 and was part of the Sydney Roosters charge to the 2010 Grand Final.

Now Dugan could be on the same path.

You would suspect that many clubs would have been looking at the situation and licking their lips. Sure, Dugan is a ‘trouble maker,’ but if and when someone can add maturity to the football ability, he is a special package.

If a club can sort him out they may hit the jackpot.

Dugan is an x-factor, and might be deemed a worthwhile risk to be the final piece in a premiership winning puzzle. He was a major catalyst in helping the Raiders make the finals in 2010 and 2012.

There already potential suitors waiting in the wings for Dugan’s services, with the Gold Coast Titans, Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers and St George Illawarra Dragons said to be cueing up for his signature. French rugby has also been linked.

The Panthers appear to be a long shot to sign him, especially given their summer off-field issues. Phil Gould, already dealing with Michael Jennings related problems, won’t want another headache.

By contrast, Gold Coast could be a great fit. They have proven form resurrecting careers of players who have gone ‘off the rails’. They have managed to turn Greg Bird and Nate Myles from troublemakers to origin stars. With the departure of Scott Prince to crosstown rivals Brisbane Broncos, he could slot perfectly in at five-eighth, with William Zillman playing at full-back.

Whichever club he goes to, hopefully Dugan can turn his life around and get back to playing footy. It’s a shame to see capable players absent from the game, let alone those that light up our lives.

Alexandros Karavas is a first-year Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @Alex_Karra