BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

A tweet has come back to haunt axed St George Illawarra Dragons star Josh Dugan after he was unceremoniously dropped from the Saints team on Sunday for missing the team bus to Penrith.

Dugan tweeted on Saturday that he was “gutted” he’d be missing the American college gridiron match at Allianz Stadium being played on the same day as St George Illawarra’s must-win match against the Panthers.

After some mixed feedback, Dugan attempted to explain that first tweet.

“I’m also gutted I won’t get to see the fight (Floyd Mayweather versus Connor McGregor) live but doesn’t mean my head isn’t ready for the game. Some people are way to [sic] impressionable.”

I’m also gutted I won’t get to see the fight live but doesn’t mean my head isn’t ready for the game. Some people are way to impressionable 😒

— Josh Dugan (@Josh_Dugan) August 26, 2017

Dugan then missed the Dragons team bus on Sunday and was scratched by Coach Paul McGregor with the Dragons holding on against Penrith for a 16-14 victory.

“Discipline is important to our footy team and on game day especially,” McGregor said at the post-match press conference.

“He didn’t arrive on time after we spoke about what’s needed only recently.

“It doesn’t matter that it’s round 25 and the season is on  the line. If you’re trying to drive standards and discipline, it doesn’t matter what round it is and what’s on offer.

“(It’s) what our club needed to make a statement, whether it be Josh or any other player.

“It was my call.”

Fairfax also reported on Monday that Dugan was involved in another State of Origin drinking session with mate Blake Ferguson – this one prior to Game II.

According to Fairfax, Dugan and Ferguson trashed their hotel room and were “shielded” from the media by NSWRL officials the next day.

Dugan may have played his last game for the Dragons.

Maybe he should have headed to the gridiron after all.

@woodward_curtis