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JOSH Dugan watched the Blues courageous Origin I victory on TV from the comfort of his lounge room, but after starring as one half of the St George Illawarra double act alongside Benji Marshall last night, the Dragons star revealed last night how desperate he is to be part of State of Origin history in 10-days time.
Both Dugan and Marshall were instrumental in the Dragons crushing local derby victory over an injury-ravaged Cronulla.
Benji Marshall finds space with Josh Dugan in support. Source: News Limited
Marshall, who sealed his first NRL win since August last year, had a hand in five of the Dragons six tries, with Dugan the recipient of a rare hat-trick of four-pointers that suggested he is the man to solve NSW coach Laurie Daley's right centre vacancy for the Blues.
Enjoying a glut of possession against a Sharks side missing 13 regular first graders, Marshall reached into his old bag of tricks to pull out the gold he had been searching almost a month for.
josh Dugan celebrates try number three. Source: News Limited
While his struggling opposition resembled at-times nothing more than shadows, Marshall's punchy kicking game, no-look passes and confidence in directing the Dragons around the paddock was the performance that repaid his $1.1m price tag.
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The key for the Kiwi International is to back it up against better opposition than what he played on Saturday night.
The Dragons lopsided victory, coming after four straight losses, also marked Paul McGregor's first two-points as head coach of the club.
Josh Dugan celebrates scoring one of his three tries for the Dragons. Source: News Limited
Dugan, playing at right centre for Saints, could do nothing more to impress Daley.
His first two tries were all strength and power, muscling his frame past defenders to land over the stripe before climbing high above his opposition to pull down a pinpoint Marshall kick for his third try a 24-0 nil scoreline.
Asked if he was up to the challenge of filling the Origin void left by injured Blues and Bulldogs centre Josh Morris, Dugan replied: "Yeah, I think so.
"It's up to Loz (Daley) and the selectors, but I definitely haven't hurt my chances and I've just got to wait for selection.
Adam Quinlan is tackled by Blake Ayshford. Source: Getty Images
"I'm going to go back and have a look at the video and see what I can improve on, but if that call does come I'm definitely going to put my best foot forward and do my best for the state.
"It would mean the world. That's something you strive for as a player, to be at the best of your game and get picked in the side because it's the best players in the state and to be on that big stage.
"It's (playing centre) only going to get better as well helping me out is Mary (McGregor) and helping me is Matt Cooper as well, so it's definitely something I'm looking at keeping on improving on, but I feel comfortable at the moment.''
Nathan Stapleton is tackled by the Dragons defence. Source: News Limited
Dugan laughed when asked if he had used McGregor a member of the Blues coaching staff to persuade Daley into picking him when the team is announced on Tuesday.
"Nah, I've just been focused on my game and improving,'' Dugan said.
"I watched (Origin I) at home, it was a good game and a tough game. When B-Moz (Brett Morris) tackled Darius in that last play, I was up out of my chair, I'm definitely passionate and would definitely love to be back there.''
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While Marshall described his own game as a 'confidence building' and a 'step in the right direction' he showered Dugan in rare praise by labelling him a "superstar".
"He could play in any position on the field,'' Marshall said.
Josh Dugan makes a break. Source: Getty Images
"The lines he runs, just how strong he is, good defender, he can catch anything in the air and I thought we built from that last week.
"I knew myself it (own game) was going to take time, but I've been working hard the last few weeks to get back. We've definitely still got a lot of work to do.''
The Sharks were valiant in defeat, their debutants Fa'amanu Brown and Jacob Gagan offered promise, but in reality this was a match that without more half their salary cap, they were never going to win.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 30 (J Dugan 3 G Beale 2 P Mata'utia tries G Widdop 3 goals) bt CRONULLA 0 at WIN Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Chris James. Crowd: 12,079
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