Rugby league immortal John Raper knows a thing or two about dynasties.
With the Dragons on track to finish with one of the best home-and-away records in recent memory, Raper yesterday declared St George Illawarra, under coach Wayne Bennett (right), are destined to become the game's most successful club for years.
Raper, who played in eight of St George's amazing streak of 11 premierships between 1956 and 1966, believes Friday night's victory over Melbourne signified a major shift in power in the NRL.
TRY HARD BLOG: Raper offers more unwelcome comments Full coverage of The St George Illawarra DragonsIf the Dragons win their remaining five games, starting with Friday night's clash with Penrith at CUA Stadium, their regular season record will rival the Storm's in 2006 and 2007.
Melbourne have won two premierships since entering the competition in 1998 as well as the past three minor titles.
But Raper claims St George Illawarra - chasing their first crown since 1979 - are on the verge of their own golden era.
"St George have always been the biggest club in the game.
"But with Bennett here this year they have shown they are once again the best.
"What I like about them this season is that they've gradually improved each time they've played, they're hitting their best form at the right time.
"I don't want to get too carried away, but I think this is the year they'll win, I really do, and they've got a lot of good young players to stay at the top."
By winning their final five games before the finals series, the Dragons would finish on 44 competition points, with 20 wins and four losses.
Only Melbourne's premiership team of 2007 can claim a better winning record since the NRL was born out of the Super League war, when they finished 21-3, but had just one bye that season to also finish on 44 points.
Parramatta's all-stars of 2001 claimed the minor premiership with 42 points, but their season was ruined by Newcastle in the grand final.
And the Bulldogs were poised to become the best regular season team in years in 2002, before they were stripped of 37 points for rorting the salary cap.
With the joint venture Dragons closing in on their first minor premiership, Raper paid tribute to the contribution the Illawarra has played in the club's development.
"The Illawarra has been a great asset to the whole club," he said. "St George people appreciate what the Illawarra brings to the club, it's all one club now. They have such a great junior base that even when the club can't keep a player with the salary cap there's always another player ready to come in and step up."
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