Hurting Dugan ready to fire: Dragons

Aug 31, 2017 - 2:05 AM St George Illawarra players believe under-fire star Josh Dugan is on a mission and ready to answer critics with a big performance on Sunday.

Dumped from last weekend's crucial win over Penrith after missing the team bus, Dugan is a certain starter to take on Canterbury in a NRL final round clash the Dragons must win to make the finals series.

The Test centre was already copping criticism over his behaviour during the State of Origin series and long-time teammate Joel Thompson believes he's hurting after the bus incident and out to make amends against the Bulldogs.

"He put his hand up and he knew he made an error," Thompson said on Thursday.

"No one's perfect and I've been with Duges since (under)-20s and he normally bounces back pretty good from this type of stuff.

"We expect him to deliver, have a big game come Sunday."

Thompson, who played with Dugan throughout his five seasons at Canberra and the past five years in Wollongong, said the rep star regretted his ill-discipline.

"He's an emotional guy and it hurts him when he does stuff up like that," Thompson said.

"The boys back him 100 per cent and we've all moved forward. We haven't really spoken about it, we've just gotten on with the job.

"I've been with Dugey now for probably 10 years. I know the type of person he is and the type of player he is.

"When things go against him, he normally gets his chest up and he delivers.

"He's trained really well this week and I expect a big game out of him."

Winger and right-edge partner Nene MacDonald said the 27-year-old Dugan has helped him train through the pain of a nagging knee injury over the past few weeks.

The issue forced MacDonald to miss their round 24 loss to Brisbane.

"He's really lifted this week and he's been training well. Being my centre, he's lifting me up and helping me out there, especially with my niggles, he's kept me going," MacDonald said.

Asked if Dugan was out to make amends, MacDonald said, "You'd have to ask him but if it was me, I'd want to make it up to the boys. Everyone else would want to make it up."

Source: AAP