Gerringong junior Hamish Stewart produced an impressive first performance of the NRL season as St George Illawarra went down in heart-breaking fashion to Canterbury in Las Vegas.

The Dragons and Bulldogs battled out an extra-time thriller in the second match at Allegiant Stadium after Newcastle had beaten North Queensland 28-18 in the opening match of the double-header to open the season.

Stewart played 67 minutes of the match which went the distance, including two five-minute golden-point periods, with Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton booting the winning field goal in controversial circumstances.

Dragons prop Ryan Couchman was penalised by referee Grant Atkins for stripping the ball from Bronson Xerri but replays indicated the Bulldogs centre may have made a fumble and St George Illawarra should have got possession in the 90th minute.

Crichton kicked the decisive one-pointer from the ensuing set to pull off a dramatic win.

Stewart peeled off 46 tackles with just one miss while the lock also made 76 metres from his nine hit-ups.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan was fuming about the penalty which ultimately decided the contest.

"It's a loose carry. Every day of the week, without a doubt," he said.

"We didn't get the rub of the green, that's for sure. Disappointing, but it wasn't decided in my view the right way.

"The game has been put on a real high pedestal. I just thought it shouldn't have been decided the way it was.

"Good luck to the Bulldogs, they were good enough to win and kick the field goal. That's skill.

"But I think we should have gone home one point each."

St George Illawarra have time off this weekend while the other six matches of the opening round are played out before they host Melbourne Storm at WIN Stadium next Saturday (14 March) while the Bulldogs have the bye in round two.