Young St George Illawarra backrower Ben Creagh hit back at suggestions the Dragons could crumble under the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the NRL finals.

Creagh said the Dragons tough run-in to the finals series had given the premiership favourites a perfect taste of what to expect in the playoffs.

Newcastle coach Michael Hagan said the jury was still out on the Dragons ability to win the big games, but Creagh said his side's recent good record was proof enough that the red-and-whites have what it takes to go all the way.

During an unbeaten six-week run, the Dragons have taken care of top eight sides Parramatta, Manly, Cronulla, North Queensland and Brisbane as well as rivals Sydney Roosters.

"Over the last couple of weeks I think we've shown in the tough games against the top sides I think we can handle the pressure and we know we can," Creagh said.

"Some of the games we've had over the last couple of weeks and how quick they've been, some of the older guys, the ones that have experienced semi finals football ... they've said that some of those games are like what we're going to expect come semi-finals.

"The whole team's confident we can go into the semi finals and put our best effort in to try and win games."

The Dragons are locked in a three way battle with the Broncos and the Eels for the minor premiership. They need the Broncos to beat the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night and beat Newcastle themselves at Oki Jubilee Stadium on Sunday.

Creagh said the Dragons had finally unearthed the key to challenging for the title - consistency.

As well as their current six-game unbeaten run, the joint venture club also put together a five-match winning streak earlier in the year, which was part of a golden period in which St George Illawarra won eight of nine matches.

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