He was brought in to add some grunt to the St George Illawarra pack, but Jeremy Smith insists he won't go out of his way to live up to the enforcer role.

Along with the likes of former Canberra duo Michael Weyman and Neville Costigan, Smith was recruited by the Dragons to help rid the club of the perception that it lacked toughness.

They don't come much tougher than Smith, the former Melbourne premiership-winning backrower, whose fearsome defence and powerful runs were a major feature of the Storm's success in recent years.

New Dragons coach Wayne Bennett got a taste of what he had to work with when he teamed up with Smith in New Zealand's successful World Cup campaign at the end of last season.

He would have liked what he saw, with Smith taking out New Zealand's Test player of the year award.

"I'm just out there to do my role and do it as best as I can," Smith said.

"Wayne knows what he's going to get out of me, I'm all about going at 100 miles per hour and that's what he'll get.

"The blokes he's brought in will get the job done, it will certainly tighten up the pack."

While some Dragons players admit they are still coming to terms with life under Bennett, Smith said their time together with the Kiwis had aided his preparation for the season.

It also instilled him with the belief Bennett was the man to bring success to the club.

"There is a big confidence-booster having been in camp with the Kiwis and with Wayne there," Smith said.

"Then coming here and knowing how he goes about things, it's definitely helped me settle in."

Smith made his Dragons debut in last weekend's trial win over the Sydney Roosters and looks set to play against the Bulldogs this Saturday night at WIN Stadium.

The Dragons will wrap up their pre-season preparations with the traditional Charity Shield match with South Sydney on February 28.

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