It is a little-noticed statistic that is giving St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor faith that he has the Red V on the path back to greatness.
At the halfway point of the NRL season the Dragons, their under-20s side and NSW Cup feeder team Illawarra all sit inside the top four.
McGregor on Thursday signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at the helm until the end of the 2019 season.
After coming into 2017 as a man under pressure and with predictions his side were set to miss the finals for the second year running, McGregor has been rewarded for his ability to right the ship.
"I'm thankful that the club has shown their faith in what we are achieving at the moment," McGregor said.
"We've set the foundations, we're currently sitting in the top four, our NYC is in the top four and our NSW Cup is in the top four.
"So it's important we continue with the stability throughout the club."
No other clubs can boast a top-four team in all three grades, a fact McGregor says is testament to the strength of the Dragons' junior system and the work they have poured into it.
He said the green shoots of success were showing now and it had them well placed to be a force in the NRL for years to come.
"I feel like the playing group we have is a strong one," McGregor said.
"I feel the development through our junior system is enhancing year to year and I think there's a really good window for us to stay a consistent threat in the top four over my stay.
"It's a ruthless competition and a relentless one."
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