The Dragons earned a week off with the 34-30 win with a Matheson Johns try sealing the victory after Jai Field sliced through with 30 seconds left in regular time to level the scores.

It puts them within reach of a grand final berth but they’ll have to get past the young Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday in the curtain-raiser to the Cronulla-Cowboys NRL grand final qualifier.

Payne said his side have looked to carry the momentum of the Cowboys through their preparation for the clash with the Roosters.

“All the boys are pumped for the game and we had a really good week at training,” Payne said.

“We have been in that state of mind since the win over the Cowboys and we’re aware that this is one of our most important games of the year. If we can win this one it sets us up for hopefully a good end to the season.

“We have built our momentum up and had a really tough session towards the end of last week on Thursday after using the days prior to get rid of any niggling injuries.

“We didn’t have the best start to a season so it was really good to get to where we are now and that’s a credit to the boys. We know now that there is one game left before there are any thoughts of the grand final and the Roosters will prove tough opposition.”