Painful memories erased as St George Illawarra keep NRLW season alive

And when your competition lasts just four weeks, a year can feel like an eternity.

So after St George Illawarra saw their NRL Women's grand hopes go up in smoke with a loss to the Roosters last year, the Dragons had plenty of time to ponder what could have been.

On Sunday, 12 months later, the Dragons entered a match in almost identical circumstances. Win and you're off to the decider. Lose and you're going home.

Win they did, St George Illawarra prevailing over the Roosters 24-16 in a hard-fought affair, the tears and agony of 2018 replaced by elation and jubilant celebrations at Leichhardt Oval.

For Dragons coach Daniel Lacey, the win was a just reward for a year of hard work and planning by all involved.

"That's how I felt last year, really deflated," Lacey said. "It's something that you build up to for so long, then for the competition to be so short, we didn't want it to be over and done with today.

"I know what that feeling's like and that's what made me strive harder and work harder to get to this point and I'm sure the girls were exactly the same. They wanted it that little bit more.

"I don't think everything's fallen our way, but we're still here."

Jessica Sergis was the star for St George Illawarra on Sunday, the centre scoring two tries and setting up a third in a stellar showing.

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The second of Sergis' tries ended up being the match-winner, the 22-year-old plucking a Melanie Howard pass out of the air and racing more than 80 metres to put her team in front.

The intercept came at a time the Roosters were threatening to roll over the top of the Dragons, with Ruan Sims crossing for an equalising try in her final match just moments earlier.

Sergis' try handed St George Illawarra a six-point advantage and it was one they would not relinquish for the remainder of the match.

The NSW star has been among the Dragons most impressive this season, and she said the team was determined to produce a performance that reflected the hard work put in off the field.

"We were really upset last year," Sergis said. "It was the first NRLW and we had high hopes for everything.

"With the group we've got this year and the coaching staff and how much they've put into us and their belief in us, we've just repaid the favour and done the hard work.

"Now we're into the grand final and I can't wait."

While the club has worked hard to earn a grand final berth, the Dragons acknowledge the job is not yet done.

St George Illawarra face an imposing task if they are to lift the NRLW trophy at ANZ Stadium next week, with the Brisbane Broncos hoping to defend their title.

The Broncos claimed a 14-4 victory when the two sides played in round one, however Brisbane's air of invincibility took a hit when they fell to the Warriors on Saturday night.

With the Dragons steadily improving throughout the three-week competition, Sergis said her side will enter the match full of confidence.

"In our first round game against them, it was our first time gelling together. There were a lot of nerves, a lot of drop ball, a lot of silly mistakes that cost us the game.

"I know we've got it in us to put the points on the board, we've just got to execute and play to our strengths and that's what we'll do next week.

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