The Dragons return to the finals last season was powered heavily by breakout seasons from Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson and Jack de Belin.

However, due to various injuries and suspension the all-representative trio have only managed to play nine of the Dragons 15 games together this season.

They were all named in Paul McGregor’s side for the Dragons Monday night clash with Manly, a lineup that will be bolstered by the return fellow Country representative Tariq Sims.

Sims made an impressive debut from the bench against Melbourne two weeks ago but who missed last week’s clash with Newcastle due to contract stipulations in his early release from the Knights.

His return sees the Dragons back-row stock look as healthy as it has all season and Thompson said they’re keen to start building momentum towards a finals berth over the closing rounds.

“You look back at last year when we were going well and we were all there together,” Thompson said.

“What derailed us was injuries and different things at different stages. 

“This year that’s happened more at the start of the season. It will be good to get a few more games in together towards the back-end of the season and that’s what we’ll do.

“Having a quality player like Tariq come to the club has been really good for us.

“There’s some really good back-rowers there. Guys like Jake Marketo and Will Matthews are playing good footy too so there’s some quality players there.

“When we’re playing to our potential and the team’s going well I’d back Friz ad Bomber [de Belin] and the guys around me to play better than any other back row out there. 

“It’s exciting for us, we’re in a good spot there now where we can start winning a few games and get into that top eight.”