The bookies don't rate St George Illawarra, but Josh Dugan says he's never experienced such a tight, unified team in his NRL career and it augurs well.
Betting odds on the Dragons in the 2015 season have drifted since they lost Brett Morris to Canterbury plus Kyle Stanley, Gerard Beale and Jack Bird to the Sharks without recruiting any big-name replacements after finishing 11th this year.
But representative star Dugan likes what he's seeing in the pre-season and believes exceptional camaraderie in coach Paul McGregor's squad could help them surprise a few people.
"This is the best sort of bond that I've had as a player in any club," Dugan told AAP.
"We're a tight-knit group this year.
"I think our coffee group is nearly our whole squad, so we're always going for breaks and things together and always trying to hang out.
"This is the closest I've ever felt as a team and I think that's showing on the field as well.
"You can see it. The boys are pushing each other at training and trying to get that little extra step.
"So it's definitely promising."
The prized NSW Blues' fullback spot is up for grabs in the next State of Origin series following Jarryd Hayne's departure from the game and Dugan is sure to be considered for it despite his successful transition to centre for the Dragons and Blues last year.
He is giving little away about where he will play for the Dragons in 2015, though a switch to fullback would boost his chances of succeeding Hayne at No.1 in the Origin title defence.
"I've been training at centre and fullback and I feel comfortable in both," said Dugan.
"I played fullback pretty much my whole career, up until this year.
"I wouldn't feel out of place in centre and I wouldn't feel out of place if I was to play fullback."
While Dugan's off-field behaviour attracted unwanted headlines in previous years, he got the right type of attention in 2014 with his form for the Dragons and NSW.
"Last year was probably one of the best years I've had," he said.
"I got a chance to play centre and I thought I played pretty well there and got a chance to win a series with NSW at centre as well.
"So I was definitely pretty happy with the way that my season went last year and I'm looking forward to taking up from where I left off."
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