NRL: Dugan shift gets okay at Raiders

Josh Dugan. Photo / Getty Images

Josh Dugan's former captain David Shillington says Canberra holds no ill-feelings towards the controversial fullback for signing with St George Illawarra.

With Terry Campese missing most of the past few NRL seasons through injury, Shillington was Dugan's stand-in captain at the Raiders through the good times and the bad.

That not only included Dugan's lone State of Origin game for NSW in 2011, but also his most recent off-field indiscretions that led to his sacking from the Raiders in March.

Shillington said the 23-year-old was a massive signing for the Dragons.

"We would have loved to see him playing footy here. Everyone knows how great a talent he is and will be in the future."

The Raiders wished Dugan all the best at his new club, he said.

Meanwhile, Shillington makes his return for the Raiders off the bench tomorrow when his side hosts Newcastle at Canberra Stadium.

The 29-year-old prop has been on the sideline since damaging rib cartilage in round six against the Warriors.

After being ruled out of the Anzac test last month due to his rib injury, Shillington said he was keen to perform well to get his name back in the mix for Queensland in the upcoming State of Origin series.

"I'll have to be playing my best over the next couple weeks if I want to be a chance of it," he said.

He said he was also looking forward to ripping into the Knights' pack tomorrow to get revenge for their 28-12 loss in Newcastle in round four.

"I thought Newcastle probably got over us last time in the forwards, we weren't up to scratch," he said. "They're all very experienced there, with the likes of Willie Mason and Kade Snowden, so it's a big job for us."

- AAP