St George Illawarra lock Neville Costigan has described his final season with the Canberra Raiders as the worst he has experienced in football.
Speaking ahead of his return to Canberra Stadium tomorrow, Costigan revealed how injury and a waning desire to play combined to destroy his 2007 campaign.
But after reuniting with master coach Wayne Bennett at the Dragons, Costigan said he was now nearing career-best form heading into the clash with the Raiders.
BLOG: Dragons fans and a painful premiership history Full coverage of The St George Illawarra Dragons"It was probably the worst year I've had playing footy and I just needed to get away from things that reminded me of that and get to a new place and get a new start," Costigan said.
"The Raiders was a good club to be at, but I just think I needed that change.
"Getting back with Wayne has probably been the best thing I've done. It's definitely turned my footy around."
Costigan's final year at the Raiders was marred by persistent quadriceps injuries, while he was also dropped back to the Queensland Cup for form reasons late in the season.
Unwanted by the Raiders, Costigan was poised to sign with the Melbourne Storm until Bennett called and urged him to join the Dragons.
Costigan credited Bennett with helping him return to the Queensland State of Origin side this season and said he was now a more relaxed player.
He described the Dragons playing group as the "most happy" he had ever been involved with.
"It's been exciting all year.
"All the boys just seem to enjoy themselves every day and we're just starting to enjoy ourselves more and more as the weeks go past.
"I can't wait to go back (to Canberra) and play. This year I've tried to pump myself up for every game, but I think this one is a bit different because I played for the Raiders last year.
"It will be a bit of fun. There'll be a bit of cheek going on out there and I'm looking forward to it."
Costigan expects his former Broncos and Raiders team-mate Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to be one of the players directing the most cheek his way.
Learoyd-Lahrs is set to make his return from a knee injury via the bench and Costigan said the NSW enforcer was a player the Dragons needed to be wary of.
"He's always had the talent, he just needed the fitness and the time on the field and that's what he's got this year.
"He's been showing what he can do.
"We don't really focus on stopping anyone, but he'll be a danger when he runs the ball.
"We know the Raiders can play footy, but we've got to worry about ourselves first."
With just four rounds remaining the Dragons are on track to claim the minor premiership, while the Raiders are 13th and no chance of making the finals.
Meantime, Nick Emmett has been added to the Dragons interchange as cover for centre Matt Copper for tomorrow night's clash against the Raiders. Emmett has been included after Dragons centre Beau Scott was suspended for one game.
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