McInnes finds silver lining to heartbreaker

With nine top-liners missing, the Dragons got within two points of a famous boilover against league-leaders Melbourne before a late penalty goal to Cameron Smith resigned them to their sixth loss in their last eight games.

It makes the finals mountain steeper for Paul McGregor's side, but McInnes remains adamant the Dragons can make a finals run.

"It'll be tough but it's been a challenge all year," McInnes said.

"Nothing needs to change, we're in that mentality, we're in that mode so nothing's out of reach. I was very, very proud of our performance.

"We dug deep all night and I think a couple of tough calls went against us. That's footy, we put ourselves in a good position and just fell short but the effort was outstanding so there's definitely something to build on going forward.

"The intensity and enthusiasm and effort we showed, that's the standard now so whoever comes into the side, that's what we expect."

Tariq Sims will return from suspension in the Dragons next outing against Canberra while the Origin quartet of Tyson Frizell, Paul Vaughan, Ben Hunt and Corey Norman will all return should they come through Wednesday's Origin decider unscathed.

James Graham and Gareth Widdop are also waiting in the wings but McInnes said Thursday's near-miss showed an attitude shift regardless of the ins and outs.

"We have a lot of quality coming back but the effort needs to be at that standard each week," McInnes said.

"It's easy to be happy and good when things are going well, everyone's playing and you're winning games. It's easy to be confident and be at your best then.

"It's when things are going against you, things that are out of your control, I think that shows who you really are if you can keep showing up and have that fight in you.

"It doesn't matter who's out there, if you put that jersey on and you fight hard, you're in any game.

"Sometimes you're not going to get the result you want but, if you turn up each day ready to fight and ready to give your all, things will eventually turn for you."

It's an attitude not lost on McGregor who was more than willing to sing his captain's praises following Thursday's defeat, particularly given the more than 1200 games worth of NRL experience watching on from the sideline.

"He's a soldier," McGregor said.

"He's a leader. He's the first to bounce in and out of training and I don't know how he does it.

"He does what you see on the footy field and at training as well and that's why he plays so well because his preparation is nothing short of what's needed.

"It's at another level to most other guys. He gets himself ready and goes out and performs every week and that's why he's captain."