This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview & Tips - Knights to slay the Dragons in NRL

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: 03 Apr 2024

Jeremy Darke 03 Apr 2024

Share this article

Newcastle Knights vs St George Dragons expert predictions for Friday’s Round 5 NRL game
Newcastle Knights tipped to surpass their team total of 22.5 points
Kalyn Ponga, the star performer for Knights, expected to continue his good form

Expired

Kalyn Ponga back to his best last game against the Warriors. (Getty Images)

Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview

St George Illawarra Dragons have surprised this season, but I'm predicting that this one will be all about the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview
Head to Head
Newcastle Knights Form
Newcastle Knights Team News
Newcastle Knights Team List
St George Dragons Form
St George Dragons Team News
St George Dragons Team List

Newcastle are tipped to surpass their team total of 22.5 points and I'm happy to back the hosts to win the game too.

Newcastle have won 3 of the past 5 games against St. George.
Newcastle have scored 32 points or more in the past 3 victories against the Dragons.
The Dragons conced the second-most run metrees in the NRL with an average of 1,501 per game.
The Dragons concede 56% of their tries on the right-hand side of their defence.

Head to Head

The Knights had no problem dismantling the Dragons last season, winning 32-12 in round 27, even with Kalyn Ponga missing from the match for the Knights.

The head to head record is split 3-3 over the past five seasons between Newcastle and St. George

Newcastle Knights Form

It was an extremely tight contest in New Zealand when the Knights fell 20-12 to the warriors at home last Sunday.

Not much could split the teams on the stat sheet and it was as simple as the Warriors making the most of their chances with both teams playing very solid goal line defence.

The good news for the Knights in their loss was the individual performance of Kalyn Ponga, who had his best game of the year with 2 linebreaks, 3 linebreak assists and a try assists, being involved in everything positive that the Knights attack threw at the Warriors.

Newcastle Knights Team News

Dane Gagai returns in the centres with Dylan Lucas dropping to the reserves.

The Knights halves pairings are still unsettled, this time Jackson Hastings will pair with Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble will sit out this week.

Leo Thompson returns from suspension with Daniel Saifiti moving to the bench and Brodie Jones to the reserves.

Newcastle Knights Team List

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Tom Jenkins

3. Dane Gagai

4. Bradman Best

5. Enari Tuala

6. Jack Cogger

7. Jackson Hastings

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Jayden Brailey

10. Leo Thompson

11. Tyson Frizell

12. Kai Pearce-Paul

13. Adam Elliott

Interchange

14. Phoenix Crossland

15. Daniel Saifiti

16. Jack Hetherington

17. Mat Croker

Reserves

18. Dylan Lucas

19. Jed Cartwright

20. Brodie Jones

21. Tyson Gamble

22. Thomas Cant

St George Dragons Form

Who would have thought the Dragons would be 2-2 with a couple of good wins under their belt after 4 rounds of the season, but kudos to Shane Flanagan and the team for getting it done against Manly last week.

It was another fast start form the Dragons that pantsed Manly, going into the break 14-6 and pushing their lead to 20-6 mid-way through the second half.

St. George defended for long periods in their own half and stopped the progress of Manly, which has to be a positive sign for the club and is a vast improvement on last season.

St George Dragons Team News

Michael Molo comes onto the bench and replaces Hame Sele in the only change for the Dragons this week.

St George Dragons Team List

1. Tyrell Sloan

2. Zac Lomax

3. Moses Suli

4. Jack Bird

5. Mikaele Ravalawa

6. Kyle Flanagan

7. Ben Hunt

8. Francis Molo

9. Jacob Liddle

10. Jack de Belin

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Jaydn Su'A

13. Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

14. Jesse Marschke

15. Blake Lawrie

16. Michael Molo

17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves

18. Hame Sele

19. Christian Tuipulotu

20.Viliami Fifita

21. Toby Couchman

22. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Verdict

Newcastle Knights v St George/Illawarra Dragons

The Knights to get their season back on track with a win over the Dragons, scoring over 22.5 points in the match.

Kalyn Ponga came alive last game for Newcastle and he will find Bradman Best on the left side of their attack and the centre will cross for a try.

Newcastle Knights

Money Line

@9/20 - 4 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365

Newcastle Over 22.5

Team Total

@23/24 - 2 Units

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets

Bradman Best

Anytime Tryscorer

@7/4 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Bet at bet365

Bradman Best

First Tryscorer

@12/1 - 1 Unit

100% up to £/€50 bonus

Get up to £/€50 on your first deposit

New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+

Bet at 10bet