THROUGHOUT contract negotiations, Josh Dugan didn’t want to be pigeonholed in any one position.

He just wanted to be categorised as a “world-class” footballer.

In fact, when Dugan signed a four-year contract with Cronulla in May, he declared he was joining the 2016 premiers as a “world-class player”.

But is he really world class?

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Last weekend Dugan was stood down for the Dragons’ win over Penrith after missing the team bus.

It was a minor indiscretion but Dugan was made an example of.

After the game, coach Paul McGregor told Fox League that 27-year-old had served his punishment before throwing in the line, “he’s a world class player isn’t he?”

It was a subtle jab at the Test and Origin representative but one not lost on those within rugby league circles.

Josh Dugan of the Dragons questions the referee's decision.

The Dragons’ recruitment and retention team made no secret of the fact they view Dugan as a centre during contract negotiations.

He disagreed with their rationale, openly speaking about how he feels most at home in the No.1.

So how does Dugan stack up against the top fullbacks in the game?

When comparing him against the undisputed elite, the numbers don’t look pretty for the Red V’s custodian.

Up against James Tedesco, Billy Slater, Tom Trbojevic, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Darius Boyd, Dugan is placed last in six of 13 categories fullbacks are measured on.

When it comes to try involvements this year, Dugan has nine, while Manly gun Tom Trbojevic boasts a whopping 34.

Once again it’s Trbojevic who dominates the average metres per game with 165 metres with Dugan eating his dust with 134.

James Tedesco claims the tackle busts title with 146 for the season.Dugan has 91.

His kick defusal percentage is 77.5, while Australian custodian Darius Boyd holds a rating of 93.8 per cent.

Even in average possessions per game. Dugan averages 21.9, while Billy Slater sits at 33.8 uses of the ball.

This weekend McGregor has opted to run with Matt Dufty at fullback with Dugan in the centres.

Josh Dugan the Dragons in action.

Now Dufty’s numbers are nothing to get excited about but keep in mind the 21-year-old has only played six top grade games.

In his six appearances he’s made six line breaks, set up four tries, scored two of his own and averaged 99 running metres.

Far from groundbreaking but he’s well on his way to becoming something special.

Welcome to The Big Picture for Round 26.

COWBOYS V BRONCOS

Thursday 31 August, 7.50pm at 1300SMILES Stadium

Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Corey Jensen 17. Shaun Fensom 18. Sam Hoare 19. Kyle Laybutt 20. Braeden Uele 21. Enari Tuala

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Sam Thaiday 9. Ben Hunt 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh Mcguire 14. Benji Marshall 15. Tevita Pangai 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Herman Essese 18. Jai Arrow 19. Jaydn Su’a 20. David Mead 21. Todd Murphy

The talking point: Will we see another epic? The Broncos and Cowboys clashes have been enthralling matches in recent year’s with the latest encounter a 21-20 golden point win to Paul Green’s men. With the Cowboys missing a host of star players and a finals spot on the line, they’re going to need to muster up something special yet again.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: Four of the past five matches have been decided by one point, while the past two and four of the past five matches have been decided in Golden Point.

Our prediction: Broncos by 10.

EELS V RABBITOHS

Friday 01 September, 7.50pm at ANZ Stadium

Eels: 1. Will Smith 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Kirisome Auva’a 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Cameron King 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown 14. David Gower 15. Kenny Edwards 16. Siosaia Vave 17. Suaia Matagi 18. Kaysa Pritchard 19. Josh Hoffman 20. Beau Scott 21. Frank Pritchard

Rabbitohs: 1. Bryson Goodwin 2. Campbell Graham 3. Aaron Gray 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Sam Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron Murray 14. Robbie Farah 15. George Burgess 16. Kyle Turner 17. Dean Britt 18. Jason Clark 19. David Tyrrell 20. Siosifa Talakai 21. Luke Kelly

The talking point: The Eels can cement their spot in the top four with a win over the battling Rabbitohs. The blue and gold currently sit in fourth, two points clear of the Sharks and a victory will see him lock in that important spot.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: The Eels have lost nine of the past 12 to the Rabbitohs but have won the past two.

Our prediction: Eels by 12.

ROOSTERS V TITANS

Saturday 02 September, 3pm at Allianz Stadium

Roosters: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Latrell Mitchell 3. Ryan Matterson 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu 14. Zane Tetevano 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 16. Kane Evans 17. Connor Watson 18. Joseph Manu 19. Victor Radley 20. Lindsay Collins 21. Mitchell Cornish

Titans: 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Anthony Don 3. Phillip Sami 4. Leivaha Pulu 5. William Zillman 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Morgan Boyle 9. Pat Politoni 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Joe Greenwood 13. Max King 14. Jamal Fogarty 15. Nathaniel Peteru 16. Eddy Pettybourne 17. Ben Nakubuwai 18. Keegan Hipgrave 19. Alexander Brimson 20. Kobe Tararo 21. Apiata Noema-matenga

The talking point: The Roosters come into the match in second position and not able to finish any higher. A win guarantees the Roosters second spot and a home final.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: The Titans have a winning record at Allianz with four wins from six matches scoring 30 or more in three of these four wins.

Our prediction: Roosters by 20.

SEA EAGLES V PANTHERS

Saturday 02 September, 5.30pm at Lottoland

Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matthew Wright 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Blake Green 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Frank Winterstein 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lewis Brown 15. Lloyd Perrett 16. Brenton Lawrence 17. Addin Fonua-Blake 18. Shaun Lane 19. Cameron Cullen 20. Jarrad Kennedy 21. Jackson Hastings

Panthers: 1. Dean Whare 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Tyrone May 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Sione Katoa 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Tim Browne 17. Trent Merrin 18. Moses Leota 19. Viliame Kikau 20. Matt Moylan 21. Jed Cartwright

The talking point: The winner of this match will guarantee themselves finals football, while the loser will need other results to go their way in order to make the finals.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: The Panthers have dominated this match-up recently, winning the past five and seven of the past eight.

Our prediction: Manly by four.

STORM V RAIDERS

Saturday 02 September, 7.30pm at AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Tim Glasby 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Slade Griffin 18. Robbie Rochow 19. Joe Stimson 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Nate Myles

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Iosia Soliola 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Dave Taylor 17. Luke Bateman 18. Jeff Lima 19. Clay Priest 20. Royce Hunt 21. Michael Oldfield

The talking point: A win this weekend would see the Storm become the first team in history to win 20 regular season matches on three separate occasions (2006 and 2007).

The Fox Sports Lab stat: The Storm have a great record against the Raiders in Melbourne winning 15 of the 19 matches there.

Our prediction: Storm by 20.

KNIGHTS V SHARKS

Sunday 03 September, 2pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights: 1. Nathan Ross 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata’utia 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Jack Cogger 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh King 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Mitchell Barnett 14. Joe Wardle 15. Tyrone Amey 16. Sam Stone 17. Mickey Paea 18. Brendan Elliott 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Jaelen Feeney 21. Chanel Mata’utia

Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Gerard Beale 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. James Segeyaro 18. Joseph Paulo 19. Fa’amanu Brown 20. Jesse Ramien 21. Jack Bird

The talking point: Following a loss to the Roosters last week, can they get their title defence back on track and gain momentum heading into the finals.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: The Sharks have won the past five straight matches against the Knights, and will be aiming for a sixth straight win for the first time in their history.

Our prediction: Sharks by 20.

DRAGONS V BULLDOGS

Sunday 03 September, 4pm at ANZ Stadium

Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Josh Dugan 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Kurt Mann 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Hame Sele 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Josh McCrone 18. Will Matthews 19. Kalifa Faifai Loa 20. Taane Milne 21. Luciano Leilua

Bulldogs: 1. William Hopoate 2. Chase Stanley 3. Josh Morris 4. Brenko Lee 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Frawley 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Adam Elliot 13. David Klemmer 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Francis Tualau 19. Rhyse Martin 20. Josh Reynolds 22. Andy Saunders 23. Kerrod Holland

The talking point: The ninth-placed Dragons need to win. Simple as that. The Red V will likely know their scenario before they face off against the Bulldogs, which should give them motivation enough to bring home a win for their fans. With a superior for and against compared to teams placed sixth to eighth, a win could see the Dragons move up to sixth on the ladder.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: At ANZ Stadium, the Bulldogs have won eight of the past nine against the Dragons, including the past five matches.

Our prediction: Dragons by 4.

TIGERS V WARRIORS

Sunday 03 September, 6.30pm at Leichhardt Oval

Tigers: 1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Elijah Taylor, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Joel Edwards, 12. Josh Aloiai, 13. Matt Eisenhuth. Interchange: 14. Alex Twal, 15. Sauaso Sue, 16. Bayley Sironen, 17. Jack Littlejohn, 18. Ava Seumanufagai, 19. Jeremy Marshall-King, 20. JJ Felise, 21. Watson Heleta

Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Ben Matulino 9. Issac Luke 10. Sam Lisone 11. Bunty Afoa 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering 14. Mafoa’aeata Hingano 15. Charlie Gubb 16. Isaiah Papalii 17. Jazz Tevaga 18. Charnze Nicoll-klokstad 20. Chris Satae 21. James Bell 22. Mason Lino

The talking point: Can the Tigers send out their juniors on a high note? James Tedesco and Aaron Woods pull on the Wests Tigers jersey for the last time before leaving the club. With a big turnout expected at Leichhardt Oval, you’d imagine the players will be primed for a big one.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: The Tigers third try will be their 300th as a joint venture at Leichhardt Oval.

Our prediction: Tigers by six.