IT was far from a smooth ride but Dragons halfback Adam Clune feels a tumultuous first season in the NRL was the crash course he needed as a 25-year-old debutant.
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Clune's emergence was a good news story for the Dragons in a season with precious few others, with the Albion Park product stringing together 15 games after debuting in round four.
With Corey Norman sidelined by suspension and young-gun Jayden Sullivan nursing a hamstring injury, he's odds-on to retain his spot for Sunday's round-one clash with Cronulla,
He'll partner Ben Hunt in then halves after, ironically, playing 10 more games in his new skipper's preferred jumper last season.
It proved a tough school, but it leaves him confident ahead of his second season in the top grade.
"I think I'm coming in a lot more confident than last year, obviously I played a fair bit more first grade than I was expecting and had those [tough] lessons early in my NRL career," Clune said.
"Obviously we weren't that successful last year but I felt I took a whole lot out of it. While it was disappointing on the results side of things, I feel that, because we weren't that successful, I was able to learn a whole heap more.
"It's probably a good thing at the start of my career to be able to learn that and hopefully it can put me in good stead for long-term success at this club."
Clune was the least experienced but arguably most consistent performer in the Dragons constantly rejigged spine last season, earning a two-year contract extension.
The consistency is something he puts down to the self-awareness built over several years in the part-time ranks.
"I feel like I probably just have a really good understanding of my role," Clune said.
"When you're 18-19-20 and you're coming through you probably don't fully understand your game. I was the same in the 20s, I wasn't sure what sort of player I was going to be long-term.
"That's developed over the years so I think I've got a greater understanding of what role I can play for the team. That's given me some greater clarity.
"There's probably a bit more gratitude too. It's not a knock on the young kids, but coming through [early] you might take it for granted.
"Working so hard and taking longer than most people would hope to get into the first grade squad, it's something I don't take for granted at all."
He's not taking a round-one start for granted yet either, with Anthony Griffin to name his side on Tuesday.
Whether Norman immediately returns from his one-game exile after that remains to be seen, with Clune insisting he's not looking that far ahead.
"My focus is playing good footy this week if I'm picked," Clune said.
"I don't want to look any further ahead because I don't want to be distracted by that. I want to be in the team week in, week out but that's up to the coaches.
"Some unfortunate things for other players have hopefully led to me getting a spot. I haven't been told yet but I have had some good honest conversations with Hook and he's really up front and lets you know where you stand.
"He's got total belief in me and that gives me belief. If I'm selected I'll just be focused on getting my role done for the team as best as I can. After that, who knows."