While there's life there's hope for St George Illawarra, but even coach Nathan Brown conceded his side's top eight hopes were on life support after their loss to Melbourne.

The Storm moved to fifth spot on the National Rugby League ladder with a 22-14 victory over St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium, leaving the Dragons needing a miracle to make the finals and Melbourne riding high with a playoff spot in the bag.

The Dragons must win their remaining two matches - against Newcastle and Brisbane - and hope either the Knights, Broncos or New Zealand Warriors fail to win another game to have any chance of playing in the semis.

It's only a slim hope, but it's one Brown is willing to hold on to.

"We don't control our own destiny now," Brown said.

"If Newcastle get beaten (on Sunday by Canberra) we're a genuine chance.

"They're without Joey (Andrew Johns).

"I think the one thing that will go against the Knights is while we're without Trent (Barrett), we have played without him for a long time.

"Newcastle haven't played without Joey and the challenge for the guys is to keep winning without him."

The Dragons lost the game with an insipid opening 40 minutes, conceding four soft tries as Storm halfback Matt Orford guided Melbourne to a 22-2 lead at the break.

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