Parramatta open their campaign against Brisbane tonight, with
Jarryd Hayne still a chance to play for the Eels if he passes a late fitness test at Parramatta Stadium.
The Broncos begin life without Darren Lockyer with Corey Norman filling the five-eighth role.
DRAGONS EDGE OUT KNIGHTS
St George Illawarra five-eighth Jamie Soward's 84th minute field goal was enough to earn his side a tough 15-14 victory over the Knights, but the man himself felt it should have been wrapped up earlier.
"The chance was probably there earlier but we just didn't stick to the plan," said Soward.
"I don't have 30,000 fans at training hoping I miss it."
Soward said the Dragons felt no extra pressure on confronting former mentor Wayne Bennett for the first time in a premiership match, believing that the hype surrounding the build-up helped the team prepare.
"We all knew it was going to be a tough week with everyone talking it up. We've had a good off-season to prepare for it. The Thursday night kick-off was something a little bit different."
The golden point win also ended the Dragons string of heart-breaking losses in extra time, with the most recent being the semi-final defeat to the Brisbane Broncos in 2011.
"I was watching that Brisbane game today where Locky's field goal just snuck over and I thought we haven't won a golden point game for a while.
"We were lucky to get into a position tonight, and lucky it came off."
"When asked why he wanted to relive those memories on the opening day of the new season Soward wryly remarked: "It was just The Simpsons wasn't on."
While the win gets the Dragons' season off to the best possible start, Soward wasn't looking too far ahead.
"It's nice to get the two points and it is a pay off for what we have been doing.
"It's important to realise that it is only game one, but it is nice to start the season with a win."
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