NRL favourites St George Illawarra are adamant they will fully deserve the premiership if they can win it in 2010, despite the Melbourne Storm's demise.

Centre Matt Cooper says the absence of the stripped premiers from finals football after being the competition's benchmark would in no way taint a grand final win in October.

"No, not really, that's what's happened to them and we're just worrying about ourselves," Cooper told reporters as he prepared for Saturday night's clash with Cronulla at WIN Stadium.

"If at the end of the year we win, we'll deserve to win I think."

But Cooper said the "favourites" tag was not on the minds of his Dragons teammates.

"We're not too worried about being called favourites, we're just happy to go out there each week and play our style of football," he said.

"Our style is just to try and wear out teams with our defence.

"That's our motivation each week and that's what we look to do out there each weekend."

Cooper has also sent a timely reminder to representative selectors, declaring he'd let no one down in a NSW State of Origin jersey.

The 31-year-old's name has scarcely been mentioned in rep football discussions but two tries and an aggressive defensive effort in last Sunday's 28-6 victory over the Sydney Roosters may have given selectors something to think about.

Cooper is a likely starter for Country in next Friday's clash with City and a continuation of his good form could mean consideration for Origin, where he has made 11 appearances for the Blues.

He could even come into calculations to add to his six Test caps with the uncertainty around Israel Folau's future and injury concerns over Greg Inglis (ankle), Justin Hodges (Achilles) and Josh Morris (eye socket).

Manly's Jamie Lyon, Penrith's Michael Jennings and North Queensland's Willie Tonga are the other likely candidates, but Cooper said he was ready to answer the selectors' call.

"I'll definitely try my hardest for NSW and I definitely won't let anyone down there," he said.

"If I'm in good form, if they want to pick me they'll pick me.

"My motivation's just to play well for the Dragons and if I'm playing well enough to be selected then so be it."

Cronulla will be looking for their third win of the season after last weekend's much improved showing in a 26-6 victory over Newcastle.

The spotlight will be on Sharks skipper Trent Barrett, who will almost certainly play his last game at WIN against his former club.

"Every player that leaves a club obviously wants to beat the team they left," long-time former team-mate Cooper said.

"He'll be trying his hardest, I know he will, he's always been a player like that, he'll give a hundred per cent.

"He's in the wrong jumper but he's back here for probably the last time so I wish him well."

Dragons skipper Ben Hornby sat our parts of the side's final training session on Friday, replaced by young half Beau Henry, but is not considered to be in doubt.

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