Sharks prop Lance Thompson showed any sceptical St George Illawarra officials he still had plenty left in the tank as he played a prominent part in the 30-12 NRL victory over his old employer at Toyota Park.

Thompson, who played 201 first grade games for the Dragons before an acrimonious split with the club after last season, had the first and final say in a comprehensive victory.

The 28-year-old forward scored the first of the Sharks five tries and successfully handled the goal kicking duties for the last four-pointer scored by centre Nigel Vagana in the last few minutes.

The Sharks scored 18 unanswered second half points to break a 12-12 halftime deadlock against a side St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown admitted lacked thrust and zip.

Thompson's consistent form earned a City Origin team call up and prompted Sharks' coach Stuart Raper to suggest the powerful prop was NSW "State Of Origin" material, while in form half Adam Dykes rated the former Dragon as the team's best player all year.

"Probably a few officials at the Dragons thought my career was dead and gone and all winding down, so I've obviously proved that I've still got a lot to offer," Thompson said.

Some Saints supporters appeared to cheer Thompson's eighth minute try when he crashed over from short range but the former Dragon kept his celebrations low key.

"I was about to jump up and down, but it's just not me," he said.

"I'd sooner be quiet and keep plugging away."

He stressed he had `no enemies' at the Dragons and dismissed any lingering suggestions about his relationship with St George Illawarra forward Justin Poore, who he was alleged to have sent a threatening text to last year.

"He's a great young player and a great young bloke and just for the record I never ever sent him any text messages and he knows it and I know it and we are both friends."

Thompson said he expected to wake up in the morning pumped, but was instead fairly relaxed and confident and had kept his approach to the game low key.

"All I wanted to do was concentrate on football, I suppose it showed today, I didn't get overawed by the situation, I played some good football and that's what I wanted to do," Thompson said.

While a strong Sharks' defensive effort nullified many of the Dragons' attacking forays, the visitors contributed greatly to their own downfall.

"We were real sluggish all day, apart from (five eighth) Trent (Barrett) and maybe (forward) Dean Young, a lot of the guys really lacked any zip," Brown said.

The Dragons lost some strike power when Test centre Mark Gasnier left the field after 24 minutes with a hip injury.

Gasnier twice got over the Sharks' line, but knocked the ball on once and had the other potential try ruled out after team-mate Colin Best took out opposing winger Luke Covell in the air.

Tries to Thompson and Covell set up a 12-0 lead for the Sharks but powerful young Dragons' forward Charlie Leaneo helped force a halftime 12-12 tie by barging his was over the two close range tries.

With referee Steve Clark pulling up Barrett for a number of forward passes, the Dragons never got going after the break, with winger Darren Albert, fullback David Simmons and Vagana all crossing for the Sharks.

Inform halfback Adam Dykes produced another strong performance despite straining a calf in the warm up and getting a kick on the shin near the end.

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