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An 80th-minute penalty goal for Gareth Widdop has handed the Knights their 18th loss in a row as the Dragons snuck home 28-26 winners.
Two tries each to Jason Nightingale and Joel Thompson was enough for the home side to bounce back from an early deficit and hold on after a late Newcastle push.
Click here to read the full match report
Dragons – 28
Knights – 26
The St George Illawarra Dragons will be looking to hand the Newcastle Knights their 18th straight loss to end a disappointing season on a high note. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3pm (AEST).
The Knights have had one of the worst seasons in the competition’s history, winning just a single game from 23 attempts.
They’re currently deep into a 17 game losing streak, having not picked up the two points since sneaking past the Tigers back in Round 6.
They’ve managed to concede an average of over 33 points per game (by far the worst in the comp), while scoring just 12, the second lowest in the league.
The Dragons have fared a bit better than their final round opponents having an up and down season that sees them hanging around in no man’s land at 11th.
A pair of losses in recent weeks against sides in the bottom eight have left them reeling late in the year with their shot at the finals now well behind them.
These two sides have met once this year and unsurprisingly, the Knights lost, going down 30-18 in Round 16 to add to their very average recent history with the Dragons.
Since 2007, St George have won 11 of the 14 encounters between them.
Team News
It’s a mixed final round for the Dragons, with retiring club veteran Ben Creagh missing out of a final game after spending the last five months away from the game with a chronic knee injury.
Creagh was named in the side, but turned down the offer of a farewell sendoff because of his knee.
On the other hand, Benji Marshall has been named back in the side for his last outing in the red and white after being dropped in favour of younger talent on his way out of the club.
Marshall is uncertain of his future past 2016 after the Dragons decided against re-signing the 2005 premiership winning player.
Elsewhere for St George, Will Matthews and Taane Milne have been named in an extended squad, while Drew Hutchison and Tariq Sims (injured) have both been dropped.
For the Knights, winger Nathan Ross makes his return to the side after a short absence, replacing youngster Cory Denniss.
Korbin Sims, Josh King and Sam Mataora have all been announced in an extended squad that will be reduced come kickoff time.
Prediction
It’s hard to back a Newcastle side that has won just a single game all year, but in saying that, they have absolutely nothing to lose and only pride to play for. They’ll want to end this year on a high.
The Dragons are in an interesting position. They’ve been a struggle to get behind for good portions of the year, but have still been a much better side than the Knights for the most part.
St George Illawarra should get the win, but it won’t be a blowout and the Knights fans can look forward to a tight contest.
Dragons to win by 6
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