St George Illawarra will not launch an all-out bid for back-to-back minor premierships as the Dragons take heed of the painful lessons of last year's NRL finals fade-out.

The Dragons became the first minor premiers since the introduction of the McIntyre system to be bundled out in straight sets last year, with poor form and weary legs combining to bring about their sudden downfall.

Now four points clear at the top of the ladder heading into Friday night's clash with Gold Coast, the Dragons are again poised to snare the JJ Giltinan shield, but returning centre Matt Cooper admitted it was not a focus.

"Obviously it's a great achievement to get the minor premiership, if we get it we'll be very proud of that ... but our main concern is getting our footy right," said Cooper.

"Our focus has got to be on each game ... we don't have to start worrying about minor premierships or grand finals."

"It (last year's slump) is something we've got to talk about because we're obviously sitting on the same points - pretty much everything's the same as last year.

"We've got to make some changes so we don't go down that path again."

The biggest change for the Dragons since last year is the return of former skipper Mark Gasnier.

With Cooper set to play his first game since injuring his hamstring in the final minutes of Origin II more than a month ago, the 31-year-old said he was looking forward to once again lining up with his old Dragons and NSW running mate.

"It's been a couple of years since me and Gaz have played together, I'm excited to be back playing with him as are all the fans who are excited for him to be here," Cooper said.

Cooper's return from injury will also reunite the one of the most potent attacking combinations in the game, with the Dragons' left edge of Ben Hornby, Darius Boyd, Brett Morris and Cooper a feature of St George Illawarra's early season success.

Now with Gasnier - who will come off the bench for the third week in a row - lurking down the right edge, Cooper said the Dragons had the potential to be even more lethal in attack.

"His presence being out there alone is going to help our left side," Cooper said.

"I've noticed the last few weeks sides have been stacking our left side with an extra number on their defensive line.

"With Gaz being back, that will drag an extra player over to Gaz - at the end of the day it will make life a bit better for our left side."

Dragons coach Wayne Bennett on Thursday trimmed Ricky Thorby and Nick Emmett from his extended bench, with Gasnier to be joined by Trent Merrin, Jarrod Saffy and Jeremy Smith, who returns from a calf strain.

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