They may have left Melbourne without any NRL competition points but the confidence St George Illawarra gained is almost as valuable, according to winger Jason Nightingale.

The Dragons went down 8-6 at AAMI Park in a game where the premiers finally showcased the defensive skills that won them last year's title.

Nightingale was one of the best for the visitors, his battle with Storm flyer Anthony Quinn a highlight.

The two-point defeat was their fifth loss in a row, but Nightingale felt the Dragons were back on track.

"It definitely gives us confidence, an effort like that would have beaten most teams," he said.

"We just need to do what we did this week and prepare and turn up with the same attitude. That will take us a long way."

The Dragons dominated the early exchanges against the competition front-runners, with Kyle Stanley scoring the first try of the game in the 19th minute.

Nightingale said starting well hadn't been his side's problem, it was playing out the full 80 minutes.

"That was something we got from the game," he said.

"When we talk about sticking it for the 80, it's more about our defence and we didn't let another try in so it's definitely a positive."

He admitted his team was a bit unsettled by the late withdrawals of centre Mark Gasnier (hip) and winger Brett Morris, who didn't travel to Melbourne due to the birth of his baby girl.

"We planned on both of them playing ... it effects our attack a bit, they're pretty powerful strike weapons at the end of our backline," the winger said.

The signs looked promising for St George Illawarra when they had a two-point loss to Wests Tigers in round 22 but in the next round turned in a shocker against the lowly Roosters.

"We played a pretty similar game against the Wests Tigers but we didn't back it up the following week and the key is to back it up.

"It's all attitude, there's no excuses," Nightingale said.

Meanwhile, back Bronx Goodwin is set to undergo surgery after damaging his cruciate ligament early in the match, which was his first game back from injury to the same left knee.

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