Three weeks ago fans crammed into Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, to watch the side do a lap of honour after winning the club's first minor premiership since 1985. Two successive losses

then saw the club bundled out of the finals series.

Captain Ben Hornby said that despite the poor finish, the club had made inroads into chasing that elusive premiership victory. Hornby, who made his debut in 2000, is adamant this

season has not been a wasted one.

He has been part of the Dragons six knock-out losses, including falling one-game short of a grand final in 2005 and 2006.

"Throughout the season we stayed pretty consistent which we haven't been able to do in the past,'' Hornby said."When we look back, we will be fairly satisfied with it. It's just about

getting better now.''

Despite having co-captained the Dragons in 2007, this year was Hornby's first season in sole control of the team.

"We felt like we had the game that could go further,'' Hornby said. "I didn't feel the pressure was getting to the side or me.''

Coach Wayne Bennett echoed his captain's thoughts, claiming the season was successful. Bennett came to the club with one thought in mind: to ensure the side was consistent

something they have lacked in previous seasons.

"What they did was that they competed with all the top sides this year,'' Bennett said. "They had a lot of success against the top sides and they haven't done that in the past. Where

we started this season to where we finished I think we'll realise we've done a pretty good job.''

With the bulk of the squad returning next season, Bennett will have a further opportunity to continue to mould the players in the way he wants.

"We're disappointed,'' Bennett said. "At the same time there are a lot of good things done. Another year with them and them with me, hopefully, we will continue to grow and little

things that we didn't get right this year we will be able to get right next year.''