Fullback Josh Dugan knows there are some rugby league fans he'll never win back despite transforming his life and career since moving to Wollongong in 2013.

Dugan returned to Canberra on Saturday for the second time since being sacked by his former club, leading the Dragons onto the field to mark his milestone 100th NRL game.

The home fans made it quite clear they hadn't forgotten - much less forgiven - the circumstances of his acrimonious departure when he was dispatched to the sin-bin midway through the second half.

Dugan greeted the send-off with a smile as he left the paddock and returned to have the last laugh as the Dragons snatched a late victory.

He could well have rubbed the Canberra fans' noses in it after the dramatic win but - in a sign of his growing maturity - he took the high road.

"With my actions [in the past] it was fully deserved," Dugan said.

"I'm not going to shy away from what I did to get sacked. It's been two years and I've let everything go but I expect it when I come down here.

"I think it's going to be like that as long as I'm still playing but that's all in the game.

"I'll just have to take it and deal with it. I've just got to play footy for the team I'm with now and I love playing footy with the Dragons and that's not going to change.

"I loved playing for Canberra but things just didn't go to plan and there were a few stuff-ups on my behalf and I got shown the door.

"I hold no grudges ... I'm in a better place and they seem to be in a good place too."

Dugan said notching his 100th game at the ground where it all started reminded him how far he has come in what's been a rollercoaster career at just 24 years of age.

"It's taken me seven years to play 100 games," Dugan said.

"Between injuries and stuff-ups on and off the field I could've played a lot more but that wasn't to be.

"This is the way things were meant to happen and I've just got to run with what's put in front of me."

While the Dragons managed to snatch the late victory with 74th-minute try to another former Raider, Joel Thompson, their first half was the worst 40 minutes produced this season.

It came just a week after the Dragons found themselves in a similar position in their 22-4 loss to the Tigers.

Dugan said his side simply can't afford to keep giving sides such a headstart.

"That first 20 minutes was pretty embarrassing," Dugan said.

"We've got to turn up and play from the opening whistle so to start like that was pretty disappointing

"We can't let sides get off to a start like that but the courage shown by the boys to defend our line set after set and then go up the other end and score was pleasing."