After all, he was coming into a forward pack already boasting Tyson Frizell, Jack de Belin, Paul Vaughan and Tariq as representative star power.

But having served his two-week suspension from the Broncos' elimination final loss to the Dragons back in September, Sims comes now in with a greater sense of expectation.

St George Illawarra's new-look spine has come under heavy fire after consecutive losses, but Sims will instantly be the man most likely to properly fill the void left by Frizell and de Belin's absence, a combined 291 games. And he's probably the most like-for-like player to de Belin, who trained with the Dragons on Monday but has been stood down by the NRL while facing rape charges from a night out in December.

Josh Kerr, who made his NRL debut against Souths and Blake Lawrie, who has played just 16 career games have had to try and fill the void left.

At 27, Sims has now played 120 NRL games since making his debut in 2013 and is intent on making an impact against his former club Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

"I think that's what I bring," Sims said.

"I'm still young, but I've got experience behind me, so hopefully that helps in any way, shape or form.

"I know when I was coming into first grade, the older guys help me a lot.

"Obviously we're a pretty young pack, but we've got plenty of desire and hunger about us that we'll be able to bounce back soon."

Tevita Pangai Junior was particularly damaging, scoring a try in Brisbane's impressive win over North Queensland on Friday, while debutant Thomas Flegler made his mark with 196 run metres.

The Dragons' offloading and ball movement worried the Rabbitohs big men in the first half on Thursday, but Souths then overwhelmed them, winning 34-18.

READ MORE: Dragons captain stands by backline reshuffle

Sims had played in the Dragons two trial games, but has cooled his heels as penance for a dangerous tackle on Lawrie in the Broncos' crushing 48-18 elimination final loss.

"I'm just more excited, not so much to play against the Broncos, but to be playing footy in general," Sims said.

"I didn't want to leave Brisbane, but professionally it wasn't going to work for me to stay up there.

"Obiously I wasn't going to get re-signed, so it made it easier that Gerringong is only half an hour from where I'm living,  my home town and my older brother (Tariq) being here as well."

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