St George Illawarra Dragons fans got a glimpse of the future on Saturday at WIN Stadium against the Newcastle Knights, but it was the same old story for the Red V, slumping to a ninth straight loss this season.

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A rampant Knights side coasted to a 44-10 win after crossing for six first-half tries to head to the break with a 32-0 lead.

Newcastle Knights defenders tackle St George Illawarra forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga during the Knights' big win at WIN Stadium on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Picture by Getty Images

The Dragons made their way to the sheds, accompanied by booing from their fans.

And it did not get much better in the second half, as Kalyn Ponga inspired Newcastle to a sixth win of the season.

In the process, the Knights secured their best attacking start to the season after 10 rounds, since 2001.

The Dragons have now lost 13 games in a row, stretching back to August 9 last year.

St George Illawarra have also conceded 108 points in the two games since Dean Young has been the interim head coach.

The late withdrawal through injury of Daniel Atkinson meant the Dragons started with two 20-year-olds in the halves, Kade Reed and Lyhkan King-Togia.

It soon became apparent that the young playmakers would have their work cut out against the red-hot Knights.

The Dragons were forced into a pre-game reshuffle, with Daniel Atkinson and Moses Suli pulling out through a hand and back injury, respectively, opening the way for Lyhkan King-Togia and Tyrell Sloan joining the starting side.

Atkinson was hopeful of playing with his fractured hand, but the club doctor ruled him out.

King-Togia himself was under an injury cloud but recovered from hurting his ankle at training on Wednesday to play.

Sloan started at fullback, forcing named No 1 Clint Gutherson to the centres, a spot he last played in for NSW at Origin level.

King-Togia was a direct replacement for Atkinson, teaming up with halfback Kade Reed in the halves.

Josh Kerr also came into the run-on side, with Ryan Couchman moving to the bench.

Newcastle dominated the early exchanges and were up after seven minutes courtesy of a try to winger Greg Marzhew.

Newcastle looked destined to score in the play before, but Tyrell Sloan came up with a trysaver on Dylan Brown after the Knights' halfback was set to score the first try of the game following a Dom Young break down the Dragons' left-hand side.

Brown was pulled down just metres from the Dragons' tryline, but on the next play Newcastle quickly shifted the ball to the other wing for Marzhew to cross for a four-pointer.

Newcastle again found joy down the right side after Dane Gagai busted through, leaving King-Togia and Val Holmes grasping for air before finding a flying Young to cross for the Knights' second try.

Kalyn Ponga duly converted to give Newcastle a 10-0 lead 18 minutes into the game.

Marzhew crashed over from dummy half for his second try five minutes later, and Ponga added the two to extend the visitors' advantage to 16-0.

The game was all but over six minutes later, after Bradman Best intercepted a King-Togia pass to run 80 metres untouched to score under the posts.

Ponga kicked the goal to give Newcastle a 22-0 advantage.

A minute later, the Knights were in again after Ponga brushed past Reed and Gutherson to set up Dylan Lucas to run 50 metres to score under the posts.

Ponga duly added the two.

The silky fullback was having a day out and, from the resulting kickoff, sent Marzhew away down the left wing.

The Dragons did well to pull the winger down, but soon after, Newcastle were causing issues on their right side, sending Young in for his second try, extending their lead to 32-0 with just four minutes left to play in the half.

The Red V gave themselves something to celebrate early in the second half, with Hamish Stewart first to a King-Togia grubber to cross for a try in the 43^rd minute.

But after Mat Feagai was forced off with an injury, the Knights hit back with a try of their own after Marzhew crossed for his third of the game to see Newcastle jump to a 36-4 lead in the 53^rd minute.

Marzhew didn't have to wait long to score his fourth try, with the winger benefiting from good work inside from Best to cross for the Knights' eighth try of the game.

The Dragons crossed for their second try, again from a grubber; this time, Setu Tu was on the end of Gutherson's kick through.

Val Holmes kicked the goal to reduce Newcastle's advantage to 40-10.

But Newcastle had the last laugh, with Marzhew crossing for his fifth try in the 75^th minute.

In doing so, Marzhew equalled the club record of five tries scored by Edrick Lee in 2022 for the Knights.

More Illawarra sport:

St George Illawarra had two young players guiding the side around the park, but it was in defence where the Dean Young-coached team was found wanting.

More to come.