State of Origin series opener

Josh Dugan cleared of serious injury

Scans have cleared the Dragons' No.1 of structural damage after he had hyperextended his left elbow when Paul Carter landed on him in the second half of Thursday night's 34-22 loss to South Sydney.

"There is presently lots of fluid in the joint causing pain and limited range as well as a minor strain to the medial flexor tendon," Dragons head of performance Tony Ayoub said on Friday.

"Fortunately, there is no structural damage and his elbow should settle down within the next week."

The fullback stayed down momentarily before playing on and finishing the match.