Long hours stacking tins in a dog food factory doesn't sound all that memorable but it's something Dragons utility Jake Marketo keeps fresh in his mind.

It was the real-world experience of two years in the rugby league wilderness that meant the 25-year-old former Dragons NYC captain was determined to make his second shot at the NRL count.

"It's only a 10-minute drive to training and I think about it sometimes when I'm driving," Marketo said.

"I just love waking up in the morning to beautiful days down in Wollongong and going to training. It's a lot better than waking up in Brisbane and having to drive over an hour to work in a dog food factory."

One of several bargain buys brought to the club amid salary cap strife at the end of last season, many expected Marketo to make sporadic appearances in the top grade this year while spending most of his time with the Illawarra Cutters.

Instead he's played 16 NRL games and cemented a spot in the Dragons top 17, earning a contract for next season in the process.

It's made him one the club's big success stories this year but it's the personal growth he's most proud of.

"I had my goals written down at the start of the year but it was more personal stuff," Marketo said.

"I wanted to earn back the trust of the coach and the players and you can only do that through your actions.

"I learned from what I did here last time.

"I was never the first person here, I just wandered in when everyone else did.

"That was the way I trained and the way played as well and that's not going to get you anywhere.

"Hopefully I've earned the trust of the boys and coaches and I think it's shown in the number of games I've played."

The change in attitude hasn't gone unnoticed by coach Paul McGregor who has rushed Marketo - who missed last week through suspension - back into the Dragons starting lineup this week to cover for the injured Joel Thompson.

"I think a lot [of credit] has to go back on Jake," McGregor said.

"He's at training half an hour before everybody else, his preparation is faultless and he's really just a true professional.

"I think being away from the game and learning what's required in the outside world where he had to work every morning and train in the afternoon gave him the biggest wake up call one would ever want.

"He's been a regular in our side and while he plays that way he'll be picked."

With the interchange to be reduced next season Marketo's versatility will only add to to his value. He said he's happy to continue playing the 'Mr Fixit' role if it keeps him in first grade.

"It's just good to be in the team and wherever I get put I'm confident I can do a job for the team," he said.