Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 13 clash between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
St George Illawarra Dragons Vs Newcastle Knights
Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday May 30, 8:00pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Emre Guler 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Nathan Lawson 22. Hame Sele
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant 18. Jack Cogger 19. Jermaine McEwen 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Elijah Leaumoana
Referee:
Bunker:
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
While this clash may not be the usual blockbuster prime-time Friday game, it’s still important for St George Illawarra’s and Newcastle’s finals hopes.
The Dragons (10th) had a big last start win over Brisbane (30-26) at Suncorp Stadium before enjoying a round 12 bye and picking up another two points (moving to 12 with the Broncos, Manly Warringah, the Sydney Roosters, and the Wests Tigers).
After disappointing home losses to the Gold Coast and Parramatta, Newcastle (14th) revived their seemingly rock bottom season with a 25-6 win over Penrith. Yes, the Panthers were missing five Origin stars, but the Knights were missing Kalyn Ponga. A Dylan Lucas hat-trick gave the Knights a 24-0 half-time lead. In a nightmare round for tipsters, it’s unlikely that even the most optimistic Newcastle fan saw that scoreline coming. The win sees Newcastle just two points outside of the top eight, though their -55 differential is punishing, and they’ve averaged only 13.9 points/game.
Queensland Origin representatives Valentine Holmes and Kayln Ponga have been named to back up for the Dragons and Knights respectively, just 48 hours after Origin I. Christian Tuipulotu replaces Corey Allan: Tupiulotu has scored seven tries in five games this season, including a hat-trick, so he could be the X-factor for the Dragons. Luciano Leilua replaces Dylan Egan (out with a season-ending knee injury). Ponga’s return sees Fletcher Sharpe go to five-eighth and Tyson Gamble to halfback. Leo Thompson returns and Mat Croker starts at lock, with Jack Hetherington on the bench.
The Dragons lead the head-to-head (since the merger) 29-14, though they haven’t played each other since April 2024. The Knights won 30-10 on a miserable evening in Newcastle, with Kalyn Ponga scoring 14 points (a try and five goals). It was so long ago that the Dragons’ points-scorers that night (Zac Lomax and Ben Hunt) have both moved to different clubs.
While the Dragons love a tight contest (70% of Dragons games have had a 1-12 margin)., they can also concede a lot of points (16th in the comp for points conceded per game: 26.56). Newcastle either win big or lose big (82% of Newcastle’s games were won or lost by 13+) and are 1-6 after conceding the first try.
While both sides have been inconsistent, the Dragons are coming off a win (as are Newcastle), are at home, will be well rested after a bye, and will want to keep pushing towards the top eight.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dragons by 6 points.
Check out our round 13 predictions here.
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