That penalty try - Jamie Ainscough on Craig Smith in the in-goal.

The stunning comeback from 14-0 down to win 20-18, the Storm's first premiership in just their second year.

To describe it in any more detail only serves to break the hearts of every fan of St George Illawarra all over again.

It still haunts the Dragons.

Some suggest it defines the joint venture as a club in failing to win a premiership in its 10-year existence, despite having some of the most talented teams to play in the NRL.

Dragons prop Justin Poore certainly has no hesitation in identifying the source of the rivalry.

"The '99 grand final where they beat us," he said.

"I was talking to Brad Mackay, he just said that was the most heart-wrenching moment of his career.

"Just being up 14-nil and coming back to beat them. They've been spreading that rivalry ever since."

The following year, Melbourne - fired up by the trash-talk from Dragons five-eighth turned boxer Anthony Mundine mid-week - dished out more punishment with a memorable 12-try 70-10 romp at the MCG.

Although, in fairness to St George Illawarra, they did get some payback later that year with a 50-4 demolition of the premiers at WIN Stadium.

Poore has felt his own personal pain in the 2006 preliminary final loss to the Storm.

For the second year in a row, the Dragons had fallen one game short of a shot at the title.

"What do you do, it's a game of footy, but it's your life, so it does tear you up inside," Poore said.

And so with the Storm reigning premiers again this year, the Dragons take aim at their great rivals again tonight at Olympic Park.

St George Illawarra have beaten Melbourne already this year, but the Storm were missing nine players on Origin duty.

"They were understrength, but at least it's a bit of a confidence-booster," Poore said.

"We've done it once, we can do it again."

Poore said Sunday's loss to Canberra serves a major reality check after the seven-game winning streak which preceded it.

The Dragons' hopes of a top-four finish and silencing the critics, may rest on winning in the Victorian capital.

"Definitely, yeah," Poore says.

"They're the benchmark and if we go out and play like we did on the weekend we'll get beat by 50."

The thought of a repeat of the MCG massacre of 2000 - let alone the grand final heartache - is enough to turn Dragons fans as cold as a freezing Melbourne Monday night.