The second half, the Tigers had enough possession inside our 20m line to win two games but couldn't get over the line until the 72nd minute. (Laughably the commentators were hinting that try could have been the first sign of a Tigers comeback. What game were they watching?)

It was that second half defensive effort, where the Dragons covered their line and each other and kept the Tigers out.

Now, I'm not suggesting that the Tigers were a credible opponent. Really, they're running second-last for a reason. Friday night's game was always going to be a case of the Dragons by how much.

But it would have been a different story two years ago, or even last year. Back then this was a game we would probably have lost. You just couldn't bank on the 2008 team stonewalling their opposition for almost an entire half.

Back then Gaz would run out of the defensive line and leave a Benji Marshall-sized gap in the defensive line or someone else would miss an easy tackle and let the Tigers in or Jason Ryles would have a brain snap and give away a crucial penalty.

Basically, the team would find some way to squander a 16-point half-time lead. I know they would because I've sat in the stands or watched from home as the Dragons of years past snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Watched as they'd manage to lose games even though they were heavy favourites.

But this 2009 Dragons side is something completely different.

In the space of just over six months Bennett has transformed them into a focused, committed and, most importantly, relentless team. Whether it's in attack or defence, they'll keep coming at you for the entire 80 minutes, instead of clocking off like the Dragons of recent years.

In that second half against the Tigers they didn't panic, didn't stress out and didn't even look worried, easily handling everything Wests could throw at them.

Last year, I'd have watched that game tense because I was sure we'd find a way to screw it up. On Friday night, I was calm because I knew we were going to win.

And I like that feeling of calm a whole lot more than the stress.