The Raiders looked destined for a huge win when they led 18-6 in the first half, but were pushed to their limits when the Dragons found two tries in the last 13 minutes to level the scores.
But after another masterful kicking display, Dally M contender Zahara Temara iced the game in the extra period when she coolly slotted a drop goal after her first effort was charged down in a 19-18 victory.
The result moved the Raiders to equal-top on the NRLW ladder in their first season in the competition, with co-captain Simaima Taufa also starring after producing a whopping 192m, 26-tackle outing.
Temara was keen to focus on the side's second-half fade rather than her heroics, warning it was the sort of form that would get them beaten in future weeks.
"We're disappointed because we weren't playing to our standard in the second half," she said.
"The Dragons were awesome and we knew they would be ... we need to learn from our mistakes and fix them.
"I'm really proud of the girls that we lifted the energy in that extra time but we need to be better."
Elsewhere, North Queensland left it late to break Wests Tigers' hearts and score a thrilling 16-12 victory over their fellow NRLW newcomers.
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale's penalty goal put the Tigers in front 12-10 midway through the second half at Langlands Park on Saturday.
Even without star fullback Botille Vette-Welsh, who missed with a head knock, Wests looked to be eking their way to victory in an even contest.
But when Tigers debutant Rebecca Pollard spilt a high kick in the final minutes, the Cowboys had one more chance to attack.
And that was all they needed as five-eighth Tahlulah Tillett spun a cut-out pass to Jasmine Peters on the right edge for a try, as the final minutes ticked down.
The Cowboys held their breath after Emily Curtain recaptured the Tigers' kick-off but the danger was averted when prop Christian Pio turned over possession.
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