NRL: Is it time for Canberra Raiders fans to forgive Cronulla Sharks star Josh Dugan?

It can be enough to heal wounds and make lasting scars fade. Maybe Josh Dugan doesn't need it given the Cronulla Sharks star prides himself on silencing critics.

Maybe Canberra Raiders fans do need it. Perhaps only then will the howls of criticism, which Dugan maintains are "water off a duck's back", be reduced to a whisper.

Todd Carney has been in his shoes before. A former star cut loose by the Raiders following a string of off-field indiscretions. Fans grow frustrated and think what might have been as you excel elsewhere.

Time healed Carney's wounds. Now he is waiting for the day Dugan's scars fade. But perhaps Dugan still has time to serve.

Carney doesn't expect it to happen overnight - not when Dugan has a chance to hinder Canberra's top four hopes in a crucial NRL clash at a sold-out Shark Park on Sunday.

"You forgive and forget when you finish," Carney said.

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"While they're still playing against the club, it just comes back to bite the club. We're Canberra juniors, Duges was a local junior.

"In the perfect world everyone would have liked to have stayed around with each other. With the salary cap these days they probably wouldn't have been able to keep all of us together anyway.

"It goes with time. He is doing a lot of good things in the game and he is giving back to the game.

"When he does maybe want to return to Canberra to live given that is where he is from, everyone turns down a different path and fans have your back again.

"While he's playing against them, I don't think they will."

Certainly not while Dugan is playing for the Sharks given the rivalry that has been brewing in recent years.

Dugan's arrival at Shark Park forms only one piece of the puzzle. First came Ricky Stuart's departure from the Sharks to steer the Raiders into a new era, then there was the night Michael Ennis mocked the viking clap.

The ghosts of Canberra's past provide little in the way of motivation for Dugan - his mind is locked on securing a spot in the eight and sending Paul Gallen out a winner.

"That ship sailed long ago but I still cop it when I go down there," Dugan said.

"It's water off a duck's back, it always has been, but it's always going to be good to come up against your mates that you grew up with.

"I grew up playing local comp with [Jarrod Croker] and things like that. He has just played 250 [games] which is an outstanding accomplishment, and he is the Raiders' leading point-scorer now.

"To grow up playing with someone like that, it's pretty special. All friendships aside, it's a battle on Sunday and we're looking to solidify a spot in the eight.

"It's always good to have that rivalry, it makes for a better atmosphere in the ground and it's a sell-out on Sunday so I can't wait to see the fans here on the hill packed out."

The Raiders clash marks Dugan's 21^st game for the season - a mark he has reached just twice before in a 12-year NRL career.

It was enough to convince Gordon Tallis to say Dugan's time is up - it is a call Croker believes is unwarranted.

"From what I've seen of him this year, the criticism has been unwarranted. He's playing quite well and having a good season," Croker said.

"Some people, that sort of stuff seems to follow them every step they take. It's always been like that for Duges.

"But from what I've seen he's playing some great footy, he's a world-class player and he's a high priority for us this weekend."

So too is the chance to move one step closer to the club's second top-four finish in 16 years.

"I've already said to Jarrod, if they make it I will be the first in the crowd down there to support them. They've got something special," Carney said.

NRL ROUND 24

Sunday: Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders at Shark Park, 2pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Hudson Young, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Emre Guler, 20. Michael Oldfield, 21. Tom Starling.

Sharks squad: 1. Josh Dugan, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Josh Morris, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Paul Gallen. Interchange: 14. Kurt Capewell, 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. Jayson Bukuya, 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Blayke Brailey, 20. Kyle Flanagan, 21. Matt Moylan.