St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights Tips & Preview

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights Tips

Saturday night footy will conclude with St George hosting Newcastle, at Kogarah Oval. St George will have one last chance to give their fans a little hope heading into 2024, when Shane Flanagan takes over as head coach in a bid to turn the Dragons back into a winning club.

The Knights will be depleted, protecting their stars heading into the finals so I like the Dragons Moneyline as my best bet. St George have played well in Kogarah this season and have had the edge in recent meetings between the clubs. 

The Knights' defence has been a rock during their winning run so I do expect this game to stay close, taking the Dragons 1-12 as well. Tyrell Sloan has scored a try in his last four home games for the Dragons and I expect him to cross the line against an unfamiliar Knights defensive line.

• The Dragons have won 3 of 4 games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
• The Dragons have won their last 2 games against the Knights.
• 3 of 5 St George wins have been by a margin of 1-12.
• Tyrell Sloan has scored 6 tries in his last 8 games.

Head to Head 

St George have won the last two games against Newcastle and three of their last five meetings.

The most recent victory for St George was in round 6 last season with the Saints getting up 21-16.

St George Illawarra Dragons Form

The Dragons lost their fifth straight game when they went down to the Warriors in New Zealand, 18-6. 

It was St George’s 12th loss of the season by 12 points or less, with the club losing its winning culture before the season had even started.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team News

Jack de Belin returns at lock with Michael Molo moving to the interchange.

Sione Finau is replaced on the wing by Mat Feagai.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List

1. Tyrell Sloan 

2. Mat Feagai

3. Moses Suli

4. Zac Lomax

5. Mikaele Ravalawa

6. Talatau Amone

7. Ben Hunt

8. Francis Molo

9. Connor Muhleisen

10. Blake Lawrie

11. Billy Burns

12. Dan Russell

13. Jack de Belin

Interchange

14. Jacob Liddle

15. Michael Molo

16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 

17. Ryan Couchman

Reserves

18. Toby Couchman

19. Jayden Sullivan

20. Alexander Lobb

21. Jaiyden Hunt

22. Viliami Fifita

Newcastle Knights Form

The Newcastle Knights are the in-form team of the NRL and are a real chance of causing some problems for the top-4 in September. 

The Knights have won eight-straight, led by Kalyn Ponga who had another big game against the Sharks last weekend.

Ponga had a Try, two Linebreaks and a Linebreak Assist and Try Assist in the Knights 32-6 victory of Cronulla on the weekend sealing their spot in the finals.

Newcastle Knights Team News

Lachie Miller replaces the injured Kalyn Ponga at fullback.

Phoenix Crossland,  Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell have been replaced by Fa’amanu Brown, Enari Tuala and Brodie Jones.

Riley Jones will make his debut for the Knights.

Newcastle Knights Team List

1. Lachlan Miller

2. Dominic Young

3. Enari Tuala

4. Bradman Best

5. Greg Marzhew

6. Tyson Gamble

7. Adam Clune

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Fa'amanu Brown

10. Leo Thompson

11. Dylan Lucas

12. Brodie Jones

13. Adam Elliott

Interchange

14. Riley Jones

15. Daniel Saifiti

16. Jack Hetherington