Dragons Captain Kezie Apps all but scored the opening points for St George in their dominant win over the New Zealand Warriors over the weekend.
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The Dragons piled on points quickly to secure 26-6 win over the Warriors and keep them in the hunt for a grand final berth.
Millie Boyle's Brisbane Broncos don't have the same dilemma on their hands, winning two-straight to book an early grand final ticket after they handed the Sydney Roosters a 20-0 hammering.
App's Dragons were denied the points three times early in the piece - Kezie herself crossed the line first, but was well wrapped by the New Zealand defence to be held up in-goal.
A second effort went to the left for the Dragons, but the ball floated forward in a pass to disallow the winger a try, then a line-break on the right edge went wanting after a clever offload was fumbled and knocked on at the try-line.
The Dragons were on the defensive for the rest of the first half, with the Warriors securing a 40-30 before some neat grubber options put the St George Illawarra squad on alert.
However, after a few more close calls, it was the Dragons firing in attack in the second half where a good sweeping play let lock Shaylee Bent loose before left edge focus had Tiana Penitani rolling over a tackle to find the try-line.
A quick flurry of three tries sealed the deal with the Dragons now locking in a clash with the Roosters with a grand final place still on the line.
Dragons captain Kezie Apps said it was great to secure their first win of the season and play some good football in the process.
"Going into the second half, we knew we just needed to lift our energy," Apps said. "We just had to keep doing what we were doing, just be patient and the tries would come.
"[Daniel Lacey] said at halftime we're in the battle and not to back off, keep the energy up, keep punching forward, keep turning up for your mates and the tries will come if we hold the ball."
Meanwhile, in a dreary rain-soaked Saturday match, Boyle aided the Broncos through the middle where her quiet and hard-working resolve is already being recognised.
Boyle ran 124 metres off around 10 hit ups - similar to the stellar ground she covered in the NSW Origin win - as well as 20 tackles in about 40 minutes of game time on Saturday.
Officials said the Cobargo star had been putting in a 'mountain of work' through the middle for the club.
The Broncos will now face the New Zealand Warriors in the final regular round with an undefeated run still alive since last year.