Five seasons into his NRL career and Mitch Rein can't recall one highlight.

But he's determined to make his 100th appearance for St George Illawarra something to remember.

The diminutive hooker will run on to the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night to mark his century with the Dragons.

"Hopefully the 100th is a bit of a highlight," Rein said.

"There would be no better way to celebrate than getting the win.

"I've got to treat it as another game, really.

"But it's something I'm proud of, to play 100 games for the Dragons."

It's been a roller-coaster career to date but Rein is confident there's light at the end of the tunnel, as the club strives for its first premiership since 2010.

Rein was running around in the club's under-20s team when the Dragons won their last title under master coach Wayne Bennett.

Since then the Red V have been starved of finals action.

They looked on track to finish top four and give themselves a real shot at a grand final appearance this year, until five consecutive losses sent them crashing down the competition ladder.

The Dragons need to beat reigning premiers South Sydney this weekend to remain in the top eight.

Rein, 25, realises the importance of the heritage round clash, which is expected to be played in front of a massive crowd at Sydney's premier sporting venue.

The Dragons have been ravaged by injury and player unavailability over the past month but should welcome back at least Josh Dugan and Joel Thompson this weekend.

"It will be massive to have them back," Rein said.

"We've had a lot of injuries ... we can't blame it on injuries, but with the players we've got returning it's going to give us a boost.

"Origin and two byes sort of stopped our momentum a bit.

"We've got eight games to go this season, so we'll treat it as a new comp and work into the back-end of the season," he said.

The Dragons are sitting in seventh place on the ladder but share 20 competition points with the Storm, Bulldogs and Sharks as the battle for the top eight intensifies.

With eight rounds to play before finals, the Dragons will need to win four of their remaining games to reach the magical 28 competition points which should assure them a top-eight finish.

History says no club can win the premiership finishing lower than fourth. "We need to get our season back on track and it starts this weekend," Rein said.