sentences:  He made his first grade debut still aged 18 in the Dragon's premiership semi-final victory over North Sydney in 1954 and two weeks later appeared and scored a try in the final against Newtown which St George lost 27-3.His first full year in first grade was in 1955, learning the ropes against the powerful South Sydney Rabbitohs champion outfit to whom his side again bowed out in the premiership final with Bugden again scoring a try.He was the Dragons' first choice half-back for the first six of their consecutive premiership victories from 1956–61 and played 135 club games (133 1st grade), scoring 56 tries for the club.