ST GEORGE Illawarra have thrown the Brisbane monkey off their back in emphatic fashion, trouncing the reigning NRLW premiers 28-4 in the NRL Nines final on Saturday night.
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In rematch of last year's NRLW grand final, the Dragons ran in five tries to one to hand the Broncos, heavy favourites prior to kickoff, just their second defeat in all formats of the game.
Blues skipper Kezie Apps was outstanding for the Dragons, scoring what proved the crucial bonus-point try for a 17-0 lead virtually on the stroke of halftime.
It followed earlier tries to Isabelle Kelly and Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili, with Jess Sergis' try two minutes into the second stanza taking an unassailable 21-0 lead.
Jayme Fressard briefly hit back for the Broncos before Berekely product Maddi Weatherall iced the game from close range. Player of the tournament kicked three goals from five attempts.
It finished a hit and miss tournament for the Dragons, who fell to the Broncos in their opening clash before a 22-point win over the Warriors all but booked their spot in the decider.
The also dropped their second pool match the Roosters by a single point, but had largely switched their focus to the final having virtually secured their spot in the final.