The solidly-built Poore made his first grade debut in 2004 from the Helensburgh Tigers. He passed 100 NRL games earlier this year, has made the No.8 jersey his own and has started in every game, bar one, for St George Illawarra this year.

Coach Nathan Brown agrees Poore, 23, has the best years in front of him, is in the best form of his career and is one of the reasons why the Dragons had their sixth win in a row on Saturday.

``I put my form down to the coaches and players around me,'' Poore said. ``If the halves and pivots aren't kicking well, I get tired.''

One of the changes in Poore's game has been his extended playing time, staying on after the 20 minute mark.

``Preseason was hard with a lot of long distance running and short sprints,'' Poore said. ``I struggled early but you get used to [playing extended minutes].

``If it is a tough half [Brown] will keep me on. But if we have points on the board he will take me off. With the last 20 minutes being so close this year, he is trying to freshen up Jason Ryles and me.''

Poore has seen the likes of front row partners Luke Bailey, Danny Wicks, Adam Peek, Brent Kite and Michael Henderson leave in recent seasons, with long-term partner Ryles departing to play in France next year.

``I'm always in [Ryles'] ear about how we are doing and how he is doing something,'' Poore said. ``I've come through the Ryles and Bailey era and it was two pretty good blokes to do your apprenticeship under.

``It's my fifth year of first grade and I'm coming up to be more of senior player. I'm more than happy to do it.''

Saturday's win moves the Dragons into fifth spot.