The Brisbane Broncos began life without their supercoach Wayne Bennett with a heartstopping 19-18 National Rugby League win over the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
In a Friday night clash worthy of a season opener, the teams were locked up 18-18 before Broncos halfback Peter Wallace calmly potted over the winning field goal with three minutes left on the clock.
It was even closer for the Melbourne Storm in their season opener at home.
The Storm were pushed to golden point extra time by St George Illawarra, winning 17 - 16 with a Greg Inglis field goal.
The Dragons looked dead and buried with less than four minutes remaining in the match, trailing by six until one of new coach Bennett's old favourites, Wendell Sailor, got them back into the game with a 50-metre break before offloading to centre Matt Cooper who raced to the tryline.
Five-eighth Jamie Soward then converted to lock up the scoreboard 16-16.
