In front of a heaving crowd, swelling with Anzac Day national pride and the passion of the jersey they're wearing, St George Illawarra have the opportunity to lay down a marker for their season.

The Dragons have emerged as an NRL surprise packet, only the for-and-against columns denying them the top rung on the ladder.

At some point between the great escape in Canberra and out-tackling Brisbane, Paul McGregor's men have earned some credibility.

But while the players might deflect the significance of the result, the Dragons can redefine their season by winning at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Rarely in the past decade have the Dragons and Roosters met on an equal footing on Anzac Day.

In 2010, the year the two clubs clashed in the grand final, the Dragons were leading the competition and the Roosters were still finding their feet.

The Dragons thumped them 28-6.

The Roosters, according to sportsbet.com.au, are premiership favourites, while many are still wary about the Dragons' credentials despite Benji Marshall rediscovering a dose of his old magic.

So what are St George Illawarra really about this year?

Hopefully, we'll find out.

Mike Cooper, 12 months ago an unheralded Pom trying to make a name for himself in the NRL, produced a game-changing run to score with some remarkable footwork in the win over the Broncos.

Heath L'Estrange has proven the bargain buy of the year. After spending much of round one running sideways in attack against Melbourne, his ability to straighten the Dragons up has paid dividends.

McGregor reinstated Trent Merrin to the starting line-up and avoided his signing with Penrith derailing their year - to the obvious benefit of the team.

On Friday, McGregor kept the door open for Merrin to stay at the Dragons next year.

He has until round 13 to change his mind under the NRL rules, a farcical situation which has seen Daly Cherry-Evans' deal with the Titans become a will-he-won't-he circus.

As the arguments about introducing drafts or transfer periods continue to rage in preference to the round 13 "farce", the most experienced coach in rugby league, Wayne Bennett, called on the NRL to introduce a trade week.

It's an idea so shockingly sensible it might work.

So, as it stands, Merrin has a little more than a month to commit to the Panthers, or sort out a new deal with the Dragons.

It's difficult to see him being at St George Illawarra next year.

Much to their frustration, the Dragons management have lost the public relations argument regarding Merrin's exit and it remains a touchy subject given the fan-led Save Our Saints climate.

A renewed push to keep Merrin would be a huge coup if it comes off but re-opens old wounds if it fails.

Then there is the obvious issue about money.

Regardless of the who made a commitment to whom about what, the Dragons refused to budge on price when the Panthers - and Broncos - came knocking.

It's difficult to manage encouraging a player to stay while ensuring it does not become a distraction for the rest of the entire roster.

On Saturday, it will be set aside - it's a discussion for another day.

After a moving dawn service, a morning march and a sneaky beer, before observing a minute's silence at Allianz Stadium, the grand rugby league Anzac Day stage will come alive.

The Roosters loss in 2010 is testament that there is life after an Anzac Day result, but this year the timing is perfect for the Dragons to make a statement to the NRL.

On a momentous day in our nation's brief history, St George Illawarra fans will gain their first tangible insight into just how far the Dragons can go this year.