The most significant playing contract in recent Raiders history was yesterday sealed over a meal of burgers and fries, with Canberra set to announce today the re-signing of star fullback Josh Dugan for another two seasons.
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After months of speculation, Dugan will put his signature on a $1.3 million contract with the Raiders today that will keep him in Canberra until the end of the 2014 season.
The Canberra Times yesterday photographed Raiders chief executive Don Furner and Dugan's manager Paul Sutton dining at The Public Bar in Manuka. They were joined by PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Terry Weber, a member of the ACT Brumbies board who is understood to have played a prominent role in garnering third-party corporate support for Dugan's upgraded contract.
Later quizzed about the meeting, Furner said the deal was not yet done but he admitted it was imminent.
''It took a while to get Paul [Sutton] down here because he had some family issues, but we're hopeful and positive of a good outcome soon,'' Furner said. ''He hasn't signed anything.
''Our main aim was to get the contract done before kick-off. It's taken a bit longer than we thought but if we can get it announced before the first home game [against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday] it'll be a terrific morale-booster for the club and Canberra.
''It would certainly be one of the club's most significant re-signings, showing our fans and other clubs that we can keep our best junior talent here.''
The main sticking point in negotiations had been the wording of a clause to account for any rise in the salary cap, which is expected to increase after the NRL's new broadcast deal is finalised mid-year.
Asked if Dugan had re-signed, Sutton said ''we're not too far away''.
''We're working through it at the moment. It's all going to be positive, it's just about getting to that end point.
''I'm down here in Canberra now so hopefully we can continue to sit down and work our way through it.''
Dugan's contract will be the most significant re-signing for the Raiders since star five-eighth Terry Campese signed a six-year extension in 2009.
The Roosters, Bulldogs and Dragons had all shown interest in the South Tuggeranong junior and Dugan, 21, is already viewed as an emerging superstar of the game, having represented the NRL All Stars twice and played for NSW in last year's State of Origin.
Dugan gets the ideal chance to prove his marquee value in Saturday's season-opener at Canberra Stadium, taking on the world's best fullback Billy Slater.
