![Josh Dugan shouldn't miss the start of the 2016 season despite off-season neck surgery.](/siteassets/2015/11/43738_39_2.jpg?center=0.14%2C0.61&preset=hero-primary-wide)
They're predicted to be one of the NRL's biggest improvers but the Warriors were on the wrong end of a 46-10 thumping at the hands of St George Illawarra in their final pre-season trial match in Nelson on Saturday.
The Dragons started strongly and opened up a 14-point advantage by half-time, and only got better in the second term to finish as runaway 36-point winners.
Josh Dugan made a strong start to his campaign to play in the centres this year, setting up winger Euan Aitken for the opening try before scoring the second himself.
Solomone Kata pulled one back for the Warriors, taking a looping pass from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, before new Dragons fullback Kurt Mann scored from a set move from a scrum to give St George Illawarra an 18-4 lead at half-time.
The Dragons continued their dominance in the second term, with Benji Marshall sending new forward Tyrone McCarthy over before throwing a superb cutout ball for Aitken to cross again.
The visitors' forwards got into the act next, with Leeson Ah Mau improbably grubbering ahead for himself before Jack de Belin crossed for the Dragons' sixth.
The Warriors salvaged some pride at the start of the final quarter with Jonathan Wright finding the tryline, before Gareth Widdop added to their misery by scoring from his own kick.
Former Warriors Siliva Havili scored against his old club to round out the thrashing for the Dragons, leaving the Kiwi side with plenty to work on in the final fortnight before the new season begins.
Dragons 46 (Aitken 2, Dugan, Mann, McCarthy, de Belin, Widdop, Havili tries; Widdop 6 goals, Milne goal) def. Warriors 10 (Kata, Wright tries; Lolohea goal) at Trafalgar Park, Nelson.