The New Zealand Warriors won their final NRLW game of the season, 22-10 against St George Illawarra Dragons this afternoon at ANZ Stadium.
The Warriors have shown growth throughout their NRLW campaign and showed in the second half some impressive attack including three tries to secure their maiden victory against the Dragons in the short history of the competition.
Coming into the contest, both sides were winless but the contest was full of passion. The Warriors showed it in their pre-match haka then in the work from both Kirra Dibb and Karina Brown in the spine to direct the team around.
Dragons - who came into the game with only 16 fit players - got off to the perfect start. Debutant Teagan Berry was denied in the fourth minute but the Dragons went to their left side again and the winger kept her feet to make it 4-nil.
From there, it was all Warriors. Ellia Green and Evania Pelite tormented the Dragons defense including some huge defense on reigning Dally M centre Jessica Sergis. Green showed a superb turn of pace to make it 4-all.
The Warriors took the lead in the 24th minute, went from the left to the right before Maddison Bartlett dived over to make it 8-4 going into the break. Half-time footage showed the Warriors assistant coach firing up his side to put the contest to bed.
It seemed to work. The second half was a Warriors wave of energy. Brown and Dibb weaved and created which gave room to Shaniah Power room to score a double as the Warriors finished the season in style. Pelite got reward for her strong work today with the final try as the cobbled together Warriors side finished the season on a high.
It is another season of disappointment for the Dragons. Grand Finalists last year, injuries and suspensions has cruelled the side. They came in one of the favoured sides but finishing with a duck egg will hurt the Dragons side.