Dragons look to finetune attack before likely Knights rematch

Dragons halfback Rachael Pearson says the growth of the NRLW means players’ performances are critiqued more than ever before and she’s learning to adjust to those analysing her own game.

The Red V weren’t happy with their attacking performance against the Roosters a fortnight ago and took steps in correcting that in a 19-18 golden point thrilling win over the Broncos in Melbourne.

Pearson’s field goal was struck sweetly but it was Jamie Soward’s call to rearrange his spine pre-game that may prove to be the momentum starter for the Dragons this season.

Soward moved Pearson’s usual halves partner Taliah Fuimaono to lock with Zali Hopkins coming into five-eighth in a bid to improve the side's ability to score points.

"Our attack has been an area the last couple of weeks we’ve been flat and that’s probably on myself and some of the others in the spine," Pearson told NRL.com.

“Getting a bigger following means you get people pulling apart people’s games which is good and that's part of the game we're looking to improve.

“You can’t have a perfect game, there are always things to work on as a team and an individual, especially in such a short space of time.

"I thought Fui had an amazing game in the middle, she’s a great defender like we’ve seen her at five-eighth with some big shots.

"And Zali in her first NRLW game was great. She put in some important kicks under pressure and I thought overall it clicked a bit better."

Pearson will be hoping her field goal heroics won’t be required for a second week straight as the Dragons prepare to play Newcastle at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday.

Pearson’s field goal was the third-ever kicked in NRLW history and could be the difference in the finals after games were decided by two points or less last round.

“We practice them at training a little bit so to hit it sweet was a good feeling,” Pearson said.

“We hadn’t beaten the Broncos before and girls like Kezie [Apps] and Holli [Wheeler] who had been here from the start hadn’t won against them so to win a tough game like that is a good feeling and gives us confidence going into the finals.”

Soward has named a similiar squad for the side's clash with Newcastle but is expected to make late changes as per previous weeks, while the Knights are weighing up whether to play Tamika Upton, who has a calf concern.

With both sides' finals spots locked in, they'll both want to hold some secrets ahead of their final round game with the likelihood they’ll meet again in the semi-finals on September 25.