Young Dragons looking for grand final breakthrough

A grand final appearance would be a pass mark for St George Illawarra's under-20 team, according to talented centre Euan Aitken.

Since the National Youth Competition was introduced in 2008, the Dragons have failed to qualify for the big dance.

The heartache of falling one game shy of the grand final, however, is all too familiar for the club.

The Red V reached the preliminary stages in 2008, 2009 and 2012, while failing to reach the play-offs in the remaining three seasons.

They finished runners-up in 2009 and thrashed New Zealand in the first week of finals, only to be undone by a 24-point loss to Wests Tigers a fortnight later.

This year, the Dragons finished equal second in the competition on points and fourth on percentage.

On Friday night, they have the chance to throw the monkey off their backs and finally break through for a grand final berth.

Aitken said the players would be shattered if they were to stumble at the final hurdle and lose to Brisbane in the preliminary final.

"[It would be] very disappointing, we've all worked really hard this season," Aitken said.

"The boys have all dug in and put the effort in to get this far.

"We've got one more step to get to a grand final."

For 18-year-old captain Addin Fonua-Blake, a grand final gig would be a whole new arena.

The sizeable young prop can hardly remember the last time he played in a premiership decider.

"I haven't played in a grand final since I was about six years old and haven't captained a grand final side ever," Fonua-Blake said.

"It would mean a lot."

If recent history is anything to go by, St George Illawarra should be a raging favourite to roll Brisbane at ANZ Stadium.

The Dragons have returned winning scorelines of 44-14 in round four and 58-18 in round 25 against the Broncos this year.

But co-coach Dean Young is wary of drawing on past results before the big game.

"We're confident we can get it done against anybody when we get it right but that's the challenge," Young said.

"At the end of the year, the table doesn't lie, and the Broncos finished second after 26 rounds."