Three second-half penalty goals to five-eighth Jamie Soward, two of them in controversial circumstances, secured an 18-12 victory over the Eels at Parramatta Stadium in front of 18,293 people.

Fien started the day in the maternity ward after his wife Belinda gave birth to their fourth child.

But while the new season started with so much joy for the 30-year-old hooker, it ended in devastation after he was taken to hospital to have scans on a suspected fractured right ankle.

Having set up the Dragons' first try, Fien was brought down just a metre from the line.

His ankle twisted awkwardly in the tackle and he was left clutching his leg in obvious distress.