The Dragons were chasing a record-equalling eight successive NRL victories, but were unable to stop a resurgent Raiders, who clawed their way back from 12-0 down to win the match.

The Raiders scored three tries to two in a fiery encounter that saw three players sin binned.

In a low-scoring first half, Dragons winger Brett Morris scored the only try and Jamie Soward extended the visitors' lead to 6-0 with a penalty goal in the 32nd minute.

The match exploded in the 18-minute mark when a tackle involving Raiders pivot Terry Campese and Dragons second-rower Dean Young escalated into a brawl that resulted in Young sin-binned for 10 minutes.

Moments later Campese was sent for a spell on the sidelines for arguing with the referee.

Dragons second-rower Jeremy Smith was also sin-binned in the 72nd minute for a late shot on a Raiders opponent.

St George Illawarra fullback Darius Boyd took his side to a 12-0 lead with a try five minutes after the break, but it would be the last time the Dragons added to their score.

Three minutes later, Canberra's try avalanche began with back-to-back four-pointers to centre Jarrod Croker and winger Daniel Vidot and, five minutes later, prop Dane Tilse.

The loss means the Dragons haven not won at Canberra Stadium since 2000.

CANBERRA 24 (J Croker D Tilse D Vidot tries T Campese 6 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 12 (D Boyd B Morris tries J Soward 2 goals) at Canberra Stadium.