Josh Dugan will be the bait the Canberra Raiders can use to reel in some of the NRL's biggest fish, according to club legend Glenn Lazarus.
The Raiders are closing in on the prized signature of the NSW Origin fullback, who is set to earn a new two-year deal worth a reported $1.3million. That would make the 21-year-old the highest-paid player at the Raiders.
It's a substantial outlay Lazarus - who won two premierships with the Raiders before winning another three with the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm - believed was justified based on the credibility his retention would provide.
The Raiders have traditionally been forced to pay over-the-market value to entice the competition's premier free agents out of Sydney or Brisbane.
''What it does mean long-term is that they [the Raiders] will be able to attract marquee players,'' Lazarus said. ''Josh is a player other players like to play with. I don't think he realises how good he is.
''He's one of those special players you can build a team around.''
Lazarus was in Canberra yesterday to lend his support to the Ricky Stuart Foundation Celebrity Pro-Am at the Royal Canberra Golf Club yesterday.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner will meet Dugan's manager, Paul Sutton, this week to thrash out the finer details of the contract, with an announcement likely to be made before the start of the season.
The Tuggeranong junior made his State of Origin debut for NSW last year before injury restricted him from the final two games of the series.
He has made a solid start to retain the Sky Blue jumper, representing the NRL All Stars on the Gold Coast before backing up for the Raiders in their trial win against the Melbourne Storm in Albury last weekend.
If he can continue on his upward spiral, Lazarus said Dugan could one day be mentioned in the same breathe as the two greatest fullbacks in Raiders history, Brett Mullins and Gary Belcher.
''Get a few more Origins under [Dugan's] belt and we can make some comparisons then,'' Lazarus said.
''He's very similar to Brett, build-wise and the way he runs.
''People don't mind paying money to see players like Joshy Dugan because he's really exciting to watch.
''He's one of those players that every time he gets his hands on the ball, the crowd can feel the anticipation of what he's going to do.''
Fellow Canberra great Mal Meninga said the Raiders needed to hang on to players of Dugan's calibre, and was excited at seeing his partnership with Terry Campese.
The Queensland Origin coach will cast an eye over the Raiders at training this morning in his role as a club ambassador.
''Josh plays really well off the back of Campo's intelligence with the ball in hand,'' Meninga said.
''It's all positive stuff at the moment, but we can't get too carried away.
''The future's pretty good if we can retain all these young players and local kids.''
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