St George Illawarra captain Trent Barrett spent most of last season watching his teammates from the comforts of the grandstand.

For a split second on Sunday he probably wished he was back there.

Barrett's first National Rugby League premiership game in 10 months ended in a mix of disbelief and embarrassment at Oki Jubilee Stadium as a bombed try and a moment of Mark McLinden brilliance overshadowed a promising return against Canberra.

Barrett - who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in May last year - led his side back from a 15-2 halftime deficit against the Raiders and looked certain to give the Dragons the lead in the 62nd minute when he speared through a gap.

But as he went to place the ball over the Canberra line it inexplicably spilt from his grasp.

Canberra didn't need a second invitation and with seven minutes remaining McLinden kicked ahead and regathered to secure the points, the Raiders winning 21-12.

Barrett was still shaking his head at the post-match press conference as he relived his second half mistake, which cast a pale over an otherwise encouraging performance.

"It's pretty embarrassing," Barrett said.

"I'd done all the hard stuff. I just had to get it down and I dropped it. I don't know what happened. I have been doing that since I was five and never dropped one.

"I just can't believe it."

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