It's something reigning premiers Melbourne have turned into an art form – navigating a rep season that only becomes more demanding with each passing year.

Over the years we've seen many sides shoot out of the blocks to start a season. The Dragons were a case in point last season but they've looked every bit the  premiership contender in 2018.

The upcoming rep season remains the asterisk next to those aspirations, with more than half their squad having thrust themselves into the Origin selection frame.

Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell and Jack de Belin look certainties while Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims and Cam McInnes aren't far off it.

Euan Aitken and Nene Macdonald are further back in the Peloton but selection is not beyond either of them. 

James Graham and Gareth Widdop will play for England in June's Denver Test match while Jason Nightingale may well line up for the Kiwis.

With a recent history of hitting the mid-season skids – with far more modest representative demands than they’ll face this year – fans are legitimately concerned it could derail their campaign.

It’s a reasonable fear but, looking across the whole squad, and given the plans Paul McGregor has already put in place, the Dragons have rarely been in a better position to ride that roller coaster.

McGregor has already been in regular dialogue with Blues coach Brad Fittler and he’ll likely know exactly who he’ll lose well in advance of Origin I – if he doesn't already. It's a nice head start but, looking at his selections over the opening eight rounds, it's clear McGregor's been preparing since before round one.

He's had the luxury of naming the same starting 13 in all eight games so far and has had the same 16 players for seven of them. The No. 17 spot  has seen a revolving door of players getting their taste of NRL action as a supplement to regular big minutes in the Intrust Super Premiership.

Hame Sele, Luciano Leilua, Jacob Host have all worn the jumper. Young No. 9 Reece Robson will do so this week and don't be surprised if the likes of Mitch Allgood and Blake Lawrie get a stint there in the coming weeks.  Kurt Mann can cover any position in the back line, while he's also added the ability to play in the middle of the park this season.

The proof will ultimately be in the pudding and, while they have all the tools, riding out the rep storm, more often than not, comes down to a side's attitude and culture – their intangibles.

That's the other trait all truly great sides share. Meeting that challenge looms as the true litmus test for the Dragons this season.