Corey Norman returned to haunt Brisbane Broncos with a last-gasp drop goal to get the St George Illawarra Dragons up and running with a 25-24 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

New signing Norman held his nerve to send the last kick of the game sailing through the posts and snatch the Dragons' first win of the NRL season, which came at a cost as Gareth Widdop suffered what appeared to be a dislocated right shoulder.

Jamayne Isaako was off target with a drop-goal attempt just over a minute before the end, but Norman made no mistake in the last act of an absorbing contest on Thursday.

The Dragons made a blistering start, Cameron McInnes darting through a gap and throwing a dummy before going under the posts for a brilliant solo try and Jordan Pereira crossing in the left corner.

Brisbane hit back to lead at the break, Corey Oates gifted a try when Jack Bird's fingertips dislodged the ball from Mikaele Ravalawa's grasp and James Roberts intercepting a Widdop kick to run 90 metres and touch down - with Isaako converting both scores.

Ravalawa made amends with a try and Widdop slotted over a penalty after adding the extras, then Korbin Sims ploughed his way over against his former club after Alex Glenn scored at the other end.

Bird pounced to dot down when Widdop failed to hold onto the ball after landing awkwardly, the captain helped off in agony after seemingly dislocating his shoulder - an injury which he suffered twice last year.

Isaako levelled with a conversion six minutes from time, but it was Norman who proved to be the hero.