However, his try would turn out to be the only one Panthers needed in a 9-8 extra-time victory to defend their Group 10 premier league crown.

It's not the first time Panthers have claimed grand final success after scoring just one try.

In 2006's grand final, which also went to extra-time, Panthers ended the 80 minutes against Lithgow Workies at 4-all after kicking two penalty goals.

It took a 94^th minute try from Aidan Bateup on that day to take the Panthers to the premiership.

During Sunday's grand final Mudgee had entered half-time up 4-2, having kept the Panthers to a rare try-less opening half of football.

Dragons took themselves out to an 8-2 lead before Siejka got on the end of a short ball to barge over next to the uprights in the 68^th minute.

Then in extra-time Doug Hewitt was able to hit the crucial field goal.

Dragons scored two tries to the Panthers' one, coming on either side of half-time through Nathan Orr and Jack Beasley, but missed conversions would come back to bite.

Siejka is hopeful Sunday's success is the start of more good things to come for the champion Panthers squad.

"I'm not worried about individual things. It's just about getting the win at the end of the day," he said.

"That's two in a row and hopefully it's the start of many."

The Dragons forward pack not only matched it with the Panthers big men for much of the match, they had their measure.

Panthers' big men started to find their groove in the second half and Siejka's breakthrough lifted the side even further.

Siejka said the Dragons were fired up.

"Mudgee really brought it to us. I didn't know if we were going to get there in the end," he said.

"They stepped up their defence and they were hard to break down. Credit to them.

"They're a tough side and it's no surprise they got here."

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.