KICKOFF: Host of Dragons with their own point to prove

Fans of the Roosters, for example, can base theirs on rational thinking. For the Titans faithful, the thinking is a tad more wishful.

And the Dragons? Well, if their was a form guide, theirs would probably read something like: 'finished well back on a luckless run last time out. Tough gate, chance to place but others with stronger claims'.

It's understandable fans would need some convincing, or ask the question why will it get better? The club's lost it's best player in Gareth Widdop; looks like going another season without their second-best Jack de Belin.

They have a tough draw to start the season and the coach is - as always - under pressure. In searching for an answer to that question, Kickoff thought back over all we've heard from players over the preseason.

There was one comment that stuck out, coming from skipper Cam McInnes in January. It came right after he was appointed captain and was asked directly: why should Dragons fans be optimistic about this year?

"I'm a big believer in making promises and saying 'oh things have changed' because it's preseason," he said.

"All I know is the boys are hungry, hurt by what happened last year, and there's a lot of people with a lot to play for. When people have a lot to play for it's pretty powerful.

"I'm not going to make any promises but come round one we'll see what we're made of."

Ironically, it came from the player with the absolute least to prove after truly putting his team on his back last season. However, take a look at the rest of the roster and it really is a team with a point to prove, and not just on the team front.

If you want to look for comparisons, there's shades of the position much of Manly's roster were in at the start of last season. For players like Addin Fonua-Blake, Curtis Sironen, Joel Thompson, Moses Suli and Reuben Garrick, it was personal.

There's some Dragons in the same boat coming into 2020.

Trent Merrin, for one, certainly has a point to prove. It might seem strange given he's literally achieved it all in the game - had done by the time he was 25. It's no secret, though, that his subsequent move to the Panthers was not a fruitful one.

His interviews through the preseason have been a mea culpa of sorts. There's nothing he needs to apologise for, but there's no doubt he's reflected on his initial departure.

"When you're at that age your surrounded by people who want to put their two cents in and it's hard to just look within yourself and make a decision based on your own feelings," he told your columnist in December.

"Back in the day it was about trying to make a name for myself and putting myself forward but now coming back here at a decent age it's about putting the team first and getting the club back to where it needs to be."

Can he? It remains to be seen. From all reports, and from the look of him, he's trained the house down all preseason. He's still only 30, not old by any means in the middle forward stakes.

Given some of the injuries the Dragons have picked up in their middle forward stocks, he'll need to start proving that point from round one.

Ditto Issac Luke, who's in the same boat. Once considered the best running dummy-half in the game, Luke looked out of shape and out of touch in his time with the Warriors.

The club decided not to renew his deal. He wasn't in high demand on the open market before the Dragons threw him a lifeline. It was a recruitment decision largely panned, not least by the club's own fans.

Those that didn't saw him as a handy pick-up at a bargain price. Then McInnes went down. Now, Luke's role will be crucial. If it's his desire to prove he still has something to offer the NRL, then the stage is now set for him to do just that. Can he? we'll see.

And what about Brayden Wiliame, who once suggested he was cursed after losing all of his first 11 NRL games with Parramatta and Manly. He joked earlier this year that the 'cursed' tag was one he inadvertently thrust on himself.

"I kind of dropped that on myself one media session," Wiliame said.

"I was just a young dude not really thinking and I just said it and then all of a sudden it was all over the headlines.

"That's all about learning. I'm glad I went through it now because it's made me stronger as a person."

He derives that strength from a successful stint in the Super League with Catalans, but he's out to prove he can cut it in the NRL. He's getting his chance from round one.

With his size, speed and off-load he can certainly bring some potency. It's what prompted Paul McGregor to give him a round one start.

It'll be a fair welcome back to the NRL when he comes up against Joey Leilua on Sunday, but it's what he wanted. He's got his chance.

Not that long ago Tyrell Fuimaono was working road crew on the M4 after what was supposed to be a glorious homecoming with the Panthers.

The Dragons have given him a reprieve and, out of all the point-to-prove brigade, he has the biggest upside. He's only 23 and, on the form the he showed with the Rabbitohs in 2017, still has a big future.

He's trialed strongly and is a genuine 'power' forward. In a pack that's otherwise more on the industrious side than the explosive, he can be a valuable point of difference.

There's certainly some good stories in offing if they can all put it together. It's a big 'if' but, in the week before round one, we're all just punters clutching our ticket.

In the end, all that matters is backing a winner, but it's always more fun when you back a roughie home. We can hope at least.