On paper it was master against apprentice.

But Dragons pivot Trent Barrett admitted he was just as nervous as rookie opposite number Ben Rogers before inspiring St George Illawarra to a 28-8 National Rugby League win over the Panthers at Penrith.

Barrett, 26, may have been armed with 150 games and eight years of first grade experience, but he was reduced to a nervous kid when he arrived at a chilly Penrith Stadium in his first match back from a hamstring injury.

The inspirational Dragons skipper had spent a frustrating eight weeks on the sidelines, in which the Dragons won just two of seven matches, and was keen to make up for lost time, with a NSW Origin III No.6 jersey still in his sights - as long as his dodgy hamstring held up.

"I was pretty nervous, especially with it being such a cold night. I was a bit tentative, I was just glad to get through it and get a win up - I was pretty wary (of the hamstring) during the game," he said.

Panthers pivot Rogers, 19, was also no stranger to nerves as he ran out for his maiden first grade clash - against one of the NRL's biggest names.

"I was probably as nervous as him (Rogers). I haven't played for two months..(and) I thought he (Rogers) had a good solid game - he's a big kid," Barrett said.

Barrett didn't take long to settle his nerves, throwing a pass that cut out three teammates to find winger David Howell who dived down the right sideline to draw first blood in the third minute.

In an ominous portent for the majority of the 16,184-strong crowd, Barrett last played in a round six shellacking of the Panthers at WIN Stadium.

Not that Barrett thought he was already in NSW selectors' sights.

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