PAUL McGregor has confirmed Josh Dugan was dropped for the Dragons’ must-win clash with the Panthers for missing the team bus, with the coach and his senior players making a season defining call.

Speaking to Fox League after his side’s upset win, McGregor said it didn’t matter that it was round 25 and the club’s season was on the line, a stand against poor behaviour had to be made.

Despite driving himself to Pepper Stadium in time to take his place in the side, Dugan was told he would not be playing, leading to speculation that the representative fullback/centre was a repeat offender.

Put to McGregor that prior breaches of the Dragons’ standards had come into the decision to drop Dugan, the coach responded that “his discipline over his five years at the club has been outstanding”.

Round 20

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However, McGregor seemed to contradict that line in his post-match press conference, with this comment: “He didn’t arrive on time after we spoke about what’s needed only recently.”

Whether Dugan was punished for a repeat offence or not, McGregor confirmed the 27-year-old would be available for selection for the Dragons’ do-or-die round 26 clash with the Bulldogs.

“He’s done his punishment now, he’s missed a game of footy, he’ll be hurting pretty hard in there, letting the players down, so, yeah, he’s a world class player, isn’t he,” McGregor said.

Dugan had been active on Twitter in the lead-up to Sunday’s game, expressing his disappointment that he was unable to attend the College Football game at ANZ Stadium.

His tweets caused some backlash from Dragons fans, with Dugan qualifying that he was still prepared for his side’s do-or-die game.

Gutted I cant make the @cfsydneycup tomorrow! Hopefully get a good turnout at Allianz Stadium to watch College Football Action 👌🏼🏈 — Josh Dugan (@Josh_Dugan) August 26, 2017

“I’m also gutted that I won’t get to see the (Floyd Mayweather v Conor McGregor) fight live but doesn’t mean my head isn’t ready for the game. Some people are way to (sic) impressionable,” he tweeted.

It isn’t clear whether Dugan was late for the bus due to those distractions, with a mix up over the team schedule understood to be the reason he gave for his tardiness.

The call to stand down the rep star did not prove costly, with St George Illawarra grinding to a desperate 16-14 win over Penrith to keep their season alive.

The result will undoubtedly take some of the scrutiny off a call that some would consider harsh on Dugan, with McGregor making it clear the club’s culture and long-term objectives had to come first.

Josh Dugan dropped after missing team bus to Penrith. It's understood Snr players made decision as it's happened more than once this season — Lara Pitt (@LaraPittFox) August 27, 2017

Dugan drove himself to Penrith and was told he would not play. — Lara Pitt (@LaraPittFox) August 27, 2017

“We waited a little while there and he wasn’t there, so we made the decision there and then. We had Kalifa Faifai Loa as our 18th man, we’ve had standards throughout the year and he stepped over the mark on game day,” McGregor said.

“(Dugan) understands that, everyone understands that, and we went into the game without him.

“It’s Round 25 and your standards shouldn’t change throughout the year.

“ ... I think discipline for a football team has to be at the very top of your culture and so I made that decision today.

“It wasn’t to punish the fans, because I know how passionate they are, it was to drive standards that we need to go to continue to grow as a football club and a team and not to be comfortable with where we are in the competition, but a top-four side.”

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McGregor’s hard line stance was applauded by Michael Ennis and Cooper Cronk, who spoke about the issue for Fox League’s The Weekend Wrap.

“He misses the team bus today and they want to set a standard, so to some it may seem tough, it may seem petty, it may seem extremely ballsy and risky, considering it is round 25, but that’s where he wants to take the club, Mary McGregor,” Ennis said.

“He’s the boss, (Dragons CEO) Peter Doust has hired him and said ‘you’re in charge’ and that’s what he drives and you’ve got to buy in.”

Cronk said it would set a high bar for the young players coming through and backed Dugan to hit back strongly to finish the season — his last at the club.

“It’s a tough call, season’s on the line, but we spoke about leadership and spoke about making decisions and communication for senior players and Gareth Widdop and Nightingale formed part of that decision,” Cronk said.

“It’s about standards for the young guys coming through and it’s a big call, but they reap the rewards with a good performance and a win, their season’s still alive, and I tell you what, Josh Dugan will come back and be the best player on the field next weekend.”