St George Illawarra Dragons have reached the NRL finals for the first time since 2011 after defeating the Wests Tigers 32-30 in a golden point thriller on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium.
The penalty goal to Dragons fullback Josh Dugan in the fifth minute of in extra-time right in front of the posts, gave the Dragons a dramatic 32-30 victory.
Wests Tigers hooked Robbie Farah was penalised for being offside at marker.
Dugan lined up the kick just 15 metres out, a few metres from the uprights, to seal the victory.
With five-eighth and regular goal kicker Gareth Widdop out with a corked thigh, Dugan had to deputise as the man to kick goals.
Dugan scored a try and landed four goals, and his deadlock-breaking kick brought the crowd to its feet and the Dragons supporters were joyous with relief.
The Dragons, though, almost botched the game leading 30-8 after 60 minutes as the Tigers raced in four tries to level at 30-30 to force Golden Point extra-time.
The Tigers got back into the game with a raft of possession on the back and several consecutive penalties.
Dragons halfback Benji Marshall missed two field games in the game including one in the first phase of extra time.
Tigers winger Pat Richards also missed with two field goal attempts to break the deadlock.
Before a crowd of 17,685, the Dragons, staging a home game at ANZ Stadium, have finished eighth on 28 points and booked a place in the finals which start Friday, September 11.
The Dragons will play team five next next Saturday, September 12 with the opponent and venue to be decided after Sunday night's final match of round 26.
Cronulla Sharks are currently fifth on 32 points, as of Saturday night, wit Melbourne's win over Brisbane on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium, elevating the Storm to fourth on percentages, ahead of the Sharks.
Cronulla can secure fourth place and finish on 34 points if they defeat Manly on Sunday at Remondis Stadium.
The Dragons were in complete control of the match leading 30-8 after 60 minutes, but the Wests Tigers scored four tries to whittle the lead back to 30-30.
The Dragons entered the match without five-eighth Gareth Widdop who has a corked thigh.
Benji Marshall was in top form organising the play, engineering tries, and giving a masterclass in attack.
Drew Hutchison, playing his third NRL game, had the misfortune to throw an intercept pass in the final stages and Tigers winger David Nofoalumu scored a 90 metre try. Noffoalumu's try converted by Pat Richards levelled the scores at 30-30.
The young half, who allowed Marshall to play first receiver, was solid and put in a neat cross-field kick for winger Eto Nabuli to score in the first half.
The Tigers led 4-0 after halfback Luke Brooks swooped on a loose pass from hooker Mitch Rein in the opening minutes.
Dragons lock Trent Merrin said it was a good lesson learned to win the match after squandering a big lead.
"We are not getting too far ahead of ourselves," Merrin told ABC Radio.
Interchange forward George Rose, playing his 150th NRL career game, said it was great to make the finals.
Leader man of the match, Dragons halfback, Benji Marshall.
St George Illawarra Dragons 32( Euan Aitken 2' Jason Nightingale, Tyson Frizell, Josh Dugan, Eto Nabuli tries, Josh Dugan 4 goals).
Defeated Wests Tigers 30 ( Pat Richards 2, David Nofoaluma, Aaron Woods, Luke Brooks, James Tedesco tries, Pat Richards 3 goals).
Crowd: 17, 685
