The record will show the Dragons finished Paul McGregor’s first season in charge with 12 wins and 12 losses to sneak into the finals and fall one golden-point short of advancing to week two of the play-offs. 

That record alone flies in the face of critics who, prior to season kickoff, had the Dragons pencilled in for a bottom four finish.

Widdop was again among the club’s best in his second season in Wollongong and said the strides the club has made in 12 months don’t readily appear on paper.

‘‘It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster season,’’ Widdop said.

‘‘The club hadn’t made the finals in a few years and - even though we only just scraped in -  to make the finals was still a big acheivement from the club. 

‘‘In the end we weren’t good enough and everyone was disappointed about that but we’ve really improved a lot as a group this year.

‘‘While it was an up and down year, I think we’ve gained respect of our supporters and even non-supporters for the way we’ve played at stages this year. 

‘‘It’s definitely something the boys and the coaching staff wanted to get back.

‘‘The Dragons have been such a proud and pasisionate club and a huge brand in rugby league and it was mentioned at certain stages throughout the year.

‘‘Earning respect is a huge thing in football and I certainly think we’ve done that.