Footage of him bursting into the clear against the Roosters last week, only to hit the deck untouched has also got a bit of a run at team video sessions.

"I didn't want to watch it yesterday at training," Vaughan joked.

"A couple of coaches got it up. I have to learn from it. Next time I will put my head down, I should have gone straight over him. I don't get into the clear too often, I was a little bit nervous.

"I blew it against the Sharks [last year] when Jack [de Belin] put me through and I had Friz on the outside and I dummied. I can't trust myself."

The irony is that Vaughan has been one of the toughest men to in the competition to bring down in a powerhouse start to the season.

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Remarkably it comes after a limited preseason as he nursed a broken foot suffered in round 21 last season, making him a conspicuous absence through his side's finals campaign.

"I blew out a fair bit when I broke my foot," he said.

"It was highly modified in the pre-season. I was in a boot and crutches for three months. I didn't do too much in the preseason but what I did do benefited me for this year.

"Last year really hurt me missing the finals. I used that as a bit of motivation and drive. When I play footy I don't take anything for granted.

"I've always been a pretty headstrong person. If I want something - on and off the field - I'll get it. If I have something in mind I'll dedicate myself to making sure I achieve it.

"It's good getting yourself in the best physical shape for the boys and helping the team out. That's what I'm trying to do."

Vaughan's early-season form in a depleted pack has been welcome for coach Paul McGregor, with injuries to Tyson Frizell and Korbin Sims - as well as the stand down of Jack de Belin - testing the Dragons depth up front.

"If any other team was losing that quality they would struggle," Vaughan said.

"We can give ourselves a pass mark for the first couple of weeks of the comp considering that we have been down a fair few numbers.

"There has been a hole in the forward pack but everyone has been chipping in doing what they can."

Sunday's clash against Parramatta will be a milestone one for the 28-year-old who'll play his 50^th game for the joint-venture since arriving in Wollongong three years ago.

There were plenty of skeptics who questioned the value and length of the initial three-year deal after Vaughan spent part of his final season in Canberra in the NSW Cup.

He's since earned a further two-year contract extension with the club and is all but certain to feature in his second State of Origin series for NSW this season. The new dad says he's determined to keep repaying the club's faith.

"It is pretty cool. It's gone quick," he said.

"I'm enjoying my time and being given a role in the team that I have to live up to each week. It's been such a great move for me and the family. We just had a baby girl.

"I'm happy off the field with my family and it translates onto the field. I just want to keep giving back to Saints because they've given me so much."