It’s why, even with the arrival of Ben Hunt and James Graham, many tipped them to only scrape into the top eight this season – some weren’t even willing to go that far.

It’s also why some people look at the fact they’re leading the competition with skepticism, expecting the bubble to eventually burst.

Coach Paul McGregor has heard all the talk, but insists his side’s status as table-toppers is hard won.

“Everyone’s got to talk about something and they’re talking about that,” McGregor said ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash with the second-placed Panthers.

“They’ve been talking about it for a while now. Before a ball was kicked, a lot of experts had us not in the top eight or around the top eight between eighth and 12^th. 

“To be sitting at the top of the ladder going into round 12 is good. The competition’s not finished, we know that, but it’s a good start. 

“We’ve played nine of 11 games against teams that are currently in the top eight so every week’s a challenge. This week’s the hardest one thus far against the team that's coming second. 

“Statistically we match up pretty well, in front of a full house, we’re looking forward to it.”

They may be yet to fully silence the skeptics, but McGregor’s men have firmed into premiership favouritism with the punters since Storm coach Craig Bellamy dubbed them the benchmark in round nine.

McGregor jokingly passed on the tag to the Rabbitohs after his side’s loss to the Bunnies a week later, but there’s no doubt the Dragons have become the competition’s hunted team.

It presents a new week to week test, but one McGregor is confident his side is up to.

“It’s a different challenge for sure,” he said.

“We’re looking to improve every week and we’re not complacent about anything. The NRL is unforgiving and if you’re off a little bit you get hurt.

“We know that teams are going to get up for us because we’re leading the competition, but we don’t change our approach and our process of what we do.

“We’ve got knowledge of the opposition, they’ve got knowledge of us and, when the two teams go at it on the day, it’s whoever brings their best that wins.

“We’re fully aware that Penrith will bring their best on Saturday night and we’ve just got to better than them. They’re going well, there’s no hiding that. It’s one v two and rightly so.

“We know we need to play good solid game for 80 minutes to get over a very good football team.”

With as many as 12 Origin hopefuls in action, plenty of fans – and certainly NSW coach Brad Fittler – have pitched the clash as a group audition for a Blues jumper.

The Dragons have seven players in contention, but McGregor said he hasn’t felt the need to address it with his side.

“Everyone’s got to be an individual in how they do things and certainly everyone’s got a different approach to it,” McGregor said.

“Cam’s [McInnes] one who doesn’t read papers and doesn’t look at social media so that’s his approach and that’s great.

“Then you get others who come out and say ‘yeah I’m ready’ and that’s backing themselves so I like that as well.

“Neither one is right or wrong, it’s just what they feel strongly about. You let them go at that and, as a coach, you just make sure it doesn’t get out of control.”