Footballers aren't used to working office hours, but that will be the norm for St George Illawarra Dragons under interim head coach Dean Young.

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Since taking the reins from Shane Flanagan, Young has put his stamp on how the Dragons train in an effort to break a 270-day losing run stretching back to August 9, 2025, and secure the struggling NRL club's first win of 2026.

Valentine Holmes, pictured here scoring against Melbourne Storm at WIN Stadium in March 2026, has opened up on his and the St George Illawarra Dragons' struggles. Picture by Adam McLean.

Senior player Val Holmes admitted that the new coach wanted his players to train hard from 7am to 5pm.

"We've changed the way we've structured things, or the way he wants to structure things, around the way we train, you know, the way we rock up and when we finish. He's not telling us what we're doing at training. You're in by 7 o'clock, you leave by 5 o'clock. And then when we're here, we're here to work, so that's one thing that's definitely changed, and I think it's been good," Holmes said on Wednesday.

"Sometimes you come, and you look at the schedule, probably prepare for it rather than just getting on with it when we get there, so it's been good.

"I like [the office hours].

"You get your treatment done, if you need to get physio, you can get it, and get your own vision in and analyse and see any of the coaches.

"It's one thing they've really done well, which they did before as well, but the coaches have been more available, watching video, watching the way we've trained, games. And they've made more time for us to get better.

"Obviously, we had the bye last week. We trained twice that week, and it was pretty solid.

"It's good to get back out there this weekend and get stuck into a quality Newcastle side."

Having lost their last 11 NRL games, and eight to start 2026, the last-placed St George Illawarra will have its work cut out against the Knights in Wollongong on Saturday.

The rejuvenated Newcastle sit just outside the eight, having won five of their nine games, and head to WIN Stadium buoyed by a thrilling last-start victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Dragons, on the other hand, have had two weeks to stew on their last-start heavy loss to the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day.

The return from injury of Clint Gutherson and Dylan Egan will help.

But Holmes, who has been heavily scrutinised for his own performances this season, conceded the Dragons needed to be better across the board.

"I'm probably my harshest critic," Holmes said.

"I've copped [criticism] at the Cowboys as well, I've played some pretty average games up there as well.

"I know what type of club we are here and how big a team, and the history behind this club and what these fans and the supporters mean to this club.

"Yes, my form, neither has any of our players' form been where we'd like it to be.

"That's one thing we've been working on. It's a team sport. We all need to try to help each other get better.

"Yes, I could be better defensively as well, and so could our team. That's one thing we've definitely spoken about; we've been honest with each other.

"That's why we're gonna try to get better each week."

The 30-year-old centre said helping the Red V win was the priority, but he hadn't given up hope of representing Queensland in the Origin series against NSW.

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"I've come to the point of, there's Origin selections around the corner, so I want to be playing some good footy and being confident as well, and the only thing I can do is play well, be confident and get stuck in," Holmes said.

"If you asked me this a few years ago, when I was a bit younger, [getting back into the Origin arena] probably would be playing a fair bit on my mind.

"But being an older head, on the team, I've been fortunate enough to play in the Origin arena a fair bit, and being under Billy [Slater], it's one thing he's always said, no matter, you know, how many times you've worn the jersey, you've gotta earn it. And I haven't earned it this year.

"It just is what it is, we're not playing great footy, I'm not playing great, so I need to be.

"Selectors want to be selecting players who are playing good, playing confidently.

"But for me, it's just every day trying to get better, trying to learn.

"I think we've got two or three games until the Origin comes back, so hopefully I can play well in that and maybe put myself up for selection.

"But at the moment I'm focused on Dragons, and trying to get our first win and try to build something here."

The Dragons clash against the Knights at WIN Stadium on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.