Coach Michael Maguire says the rejuvenated Wests Tigers may keep tinkering with their playing style as they make a late push for a spot in the finals.
After injuries to recognised hookers Robbie Farah and Jacob Liddle, Maguire went left-field against Newcastle last round by having veteran five-eighth Benji Marshall start at dummy-half and getting named No.9 Josh Reynolds to come off the bench.
The move paid dividends as Marshall's early work helped the Tigers to a crushing 46-4 victory.
Maguire believes the ninth-placed side's "identity" will continue to evolve and he hinted at further tweaks leading into Sunday's must-win clash with St George Illawarra at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"We've got a couple of changes but time will tell again. It [the hooking move] did work for us but obviously we're looking at different ways we can play," Maguire said.
"The boys are getting a lot of enjoyment out of that, too. It's something we know we need to nail tomorrow because it's a big game."
Dragons v Wests Tigers - Round 24
Reynolds has again been listed in the run-on team but Maguire wouldn't confirm how the affable playmaker will be used.
Given Cronulla (24 points) sit one win above them on the ladder, the Tigers will be hoping the Sharks lose to Canberra on Sunday and they then beat the Dragons.
Those results would set up a last-round, top-eight battle at Leichhardt Oval between the two clubs.
Points differential could decide who makes the cut if both Cronulla and the Tigers win this week, but Maguire hasn't instructed his men to play more expansively in an attempt to better their -22 total despite the Sharks boasting a +34 figure.
Match: Dragons v Wests Tigers
Round 24 -
home Team
Dragons
15th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
"I think the boys understand what we need to do to be able to create the opportunities," he said.
"I think the defence is a big key, like all things, but the boys prepared really well this week."
Captain Moses Mbye (hip flexor strain) won't take on the Red V but got close to running at full speed during training on Saturday ahead of a likely Round 25 return.
Meanwhile, the retiring Farah (cracked tibia) is still a chance to play for his beloved club at least once more with the champion rake jogging this week.
"We'll wait and see what happens there. I can't tell you, I'm not a doctor. But one thing we'll do is be really thorough," Maguire said.
"We'll go through all the right protocols but he's very focused about trying to get to the opportunity next week. I don't think I'll have to push him. That's Robbie Farah - he'll push himself."
Maguire was recently spotted sharing a meal with promising Dragons centre Zac Lomax but said the meeting was a friendly conversation and not a recruitment pitch.
"I was at dinner and he was there at the time out having dinner. But at the end of the day I talk to all players. I'm very fortunate that being in the Kiwis [coaching] space I get to talk to many players across the comp," he said.
"Those are the sorts of things that if a player wants a chat, I'll have a chat."
