That goal is filling he vacant St George Illawarra Dragons' back-row jersey left by Tyson Frizell - who joined Newcastle in the off-season.

Now the Gerringong Lion is ready to finally to achieve that goal, with the Dragons' 2021 NRL season kicking off on Sunday.

"I've been working hard all pre-season with a goal on spending more time on the edge, after spending a fair bit of last season in the middle of the park," Ford, who admits the club has put last year's disappointing finish behind them, said.

"I'd love to slide into the spot left by Frizz because I feel as though I can do a job for the team there.

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"Hopefully when the team gets announced on Tuesday, there is some good news for me but, at the end of the day, it's only round one and there are 24 other rounds to worry about, so I won't let it affect me too much.

"I'm confident, just as all the players are, that Hook [coach Anthony Griffin] will pick the best 17 players to do a job for us this Sunday against the Sharks.

"And if I end up in NSW Cup, I'll do everything in my powers to play well and force my way back into the NRL side - which is a real positive of reserve grade being back this season."

While this is the Group Seven junior's third pre-season with the top grade, this one has been vastly different to years past, due to a new coaching staff.

"Hook put us through lots of long distance running, compared to Mary [Paul McGregor] - which has been quite different but something I'm embraced," he said.

"As well as that, Hook is a defensive-minded coach, so that's been a point of emphasis for all the players and an aspect of my game I've really tried to improve.

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"He's got his own way he likes to approach the defensive end, which I'm sure will see us be nice and tight this season."

On the flip side, Ford has also been working hard alongside half Adam Clune and centre Brayden Wiliame.

"I've really been trying to add more to my attacking game, which has a lot to do with knowing what my half and centre are going to do," Ford, who's been training on the left edge, said.

"It's key we all know each other's tendencies and are in the right spot, such as their hip, when an offload chance presents itself."

Although the club's pre-season trial matches didn't go as well as they had hoped, Ford took plenty of positives from the time on the park.

"Although we didn't win on the scoreboard, Hook and all of us found parts of the game we were happy with," the 23-year-old, who's now up to 100kg, said.

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"We've been working on a couple of those problem areas the past couple of weeks and I'm sure you'll see a much improved Dragons side this weekend, as we attempt to start the season with a valuable two points.

"We know the Sharks are a dangerous side all across the park but in my eyes, it all starts with the forwards and if we can lay a platform for our backs.

"We know the last few performances haven't been good enough, so everyone is ready to rip in and show just how much work we've done over the summer."

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