St George Illawarra captain Ben Hornby says the Dragons are playing with a new sense of belief but admits they are refusing to even think about finals football.

The Dragons made it three wins in a row with a 26-12 win over struggling South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, continuing a considerable turnaround from their early-season form which saw them win just one of their opening six.

After several narrow losses this season, including a 19-18 defeat to Parramatta just prior to their winning run, Hornby said gritty wins over Melbourne and Manly had renewed their confidence ahead of Sunday's match.

"I think it's just a belief thing," Hornby said.

"We lost a lot of those close games, we couldn't find a way to win them and we finally found a way to win one and we've sort of gone on from there.

"It's probably just the belief that we can hang in there and hang in there and get away with it in the end."

The win moved the Dragons to the fringe of the NRL's top eight and still in touch with leaders Melbourne at the midway point of the season, but Hornby said the players had not even thought about the prospect of reaching the finals.

"It's cliched but we're just worried about next week (against Brisbane) now," Hornby said.

"You can look as far ahead as you like, but if we lose next week we go back to where we were." Dragons coach Nathan Brown said he would view footage of Wendell Sailor's performance for the Shellharbour Marlins on Saturday night, before deciding whether the dual international would make his NRL return against his former club.

He said Tuesday's State of Origin selection could also have a baring on any possible return for Sailor with Hornby a possible absentee if he keeps his NSW jersey.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP