Fullback Josh Dugan has played a starring role in his return to the NRL for St George Illawarra, scoring two tries in the Dragons’ 32-12 win over Parramatta in Wollongong.
Returning to football for the first time since round one after being sacked by Canberra, Dugan showed that the time away from the game had done him no harm as he ran strongly throughout and latched onto crosskicks from Jamie Soward and Nathan Fien for his four-pointers.
Dugan crossed for both of the Dragons’ second half tries in the 46th and 74th minutes in the Dragons fourth win of the year.
The Dragons led 20-0 at the break on the back of four first half tries, including two to winger Daniel Vidot.
Trent Merrin was the first to score after just two minutes when he forced his way over from close range and it was 6-0 with the Eels yet to touch the ball.
With the Dragons forward pack enjoying the better of the exchanges around the ruck, they stretched their lead to 10-0 after 20 minutes when Ben Creagh strolled over after Dugan had split the Eels defence upfield and ran 40m before being brought down by his opposite Jarryd Hayne.
Vidot scored the first of his tries six minutes later after a lovely long ball from Soward put him over untouched.
Vidot then showed great strength four minutes shy of halftime when he forced his way over in the corner despite the attention of four Eels defenders.
Parramatta scored two second half tries through back-rower Peni Terepo but left themselves too much of a gap to bridge after a dominant first half effort from the home side.
Matt Cooper (toe) and Mitch Rein (ankle) were late withdrawals for the Dragons.
For the Eels, Mitchell Allgood limped off with a leg injury in the second stanza while Kelepi Tanginoa didn’t return after the break.