The engine room powering St George Illawarra’s outstanding NRL season has been secured with the Dragons re-signing prop Leeson Ah Mau for three years.

Ah Mau, 25, will remain at the Dragons until at least the end of the 2018 season with his deal, announced on Friday, coming a day after English prop Mike Cooper signed a two-year extension.

“It has been great learning under head Coach Paul McGregor and all the other coaching staff and I am very thankful for the opportunity to remain here,” Ah Mau said.

The Dragons have defied the critics to sit second on the ladder and equal on points with leaders Melbourne after 10 rounds.

A big reason for their success has been the performances of unheralded props Cooper and New Zealand-born Samoa international Ah Mau.

The duo have provided a solid platform for halves Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop to weave their magic, making St George Illawarra a happy club to play footy at.

“We have a great squad and a really positive environment here at the Dragons and I am very happy to be able to stay,” he said.

Ah Mau has played 59 games for the Dragons after joining them in 2012 from North Queensland.