Five things we learned in the Dragons’ 20-6 Round 13 win over the Knights

The Knights are counting the cost of a poor Friday night showing with Leo Thompson set to cop yet another suspension. See the incident here PLUS the five things we learned from the Dragons’ big win.

The Knights have been rocked by another blow with first-choice forward Leo Thompson facing four weeks on the sideline after being charged by the match review committee.

Thompson has been hit with a grade two crusher tackle on Dragons forward Hamish Stewart on Friday night.

The lengthy suspension has been compounded by the charge being his third offence in the eyes of the MRC.

Thompson faces five matches on the sideline if he fights the charge at the judiciary and is found guilty.

Is Leo Thompson in trouble for this “Crusher tackle”? pic.twitter.com/BT9FSQY8Yj

— NRLCentral (@nrlcentrall) May 30, 2025

PRESSURE BUILDS AS PONGA CALL COSTS KNIGHTS IN DRAGONS WIN

– Jack Blyth, Sean Teuma

The St George Illawarra Dragons have momentarily shot back into the top eight, disposing of a hapless Newcastle outfit 20-6 at Jubilee Stadium on Friday night.

Now navigating the vital mid-year Origin period, Friday night’s clash shaped as a massive opportunity for both sides, the pair sitting on four wins apiece heading into Round 13.

Just 48 hours after New South Wales snagged an Origin I win, St George Illawarra rushed centre Valentine Holmes back into the side while Adam O’Brien decided to give Kalyn Ponga the night off.

Having to play next Thursday against the Sea Eagles, O’Brien confirmed that three games in eight days wouldn’t have been fair on Kalyn.

“Kalyn was doing everything he could do to play(the Dragons). I took the decision away from his because it’s the right thing to do.”

After toppling Penrith last weekend, the Knights had an air of intensity in their defence to start the contest, constantly foiling the Dragons’ sweeping attack.

Debutant and two-time Olympian Nathan Lawson looked to have scored the opener just minutes into match, only for Holmes’ pass to be called forward.

Despite the field position, the Red V failed to capitalise on their opportunities, heading to the quarter mark scoreless, however it wouldn’t take the home side much longer to crack the score board.

After peppering the Knights’ right-edge, a scurrying run from Damien Cook on the last found Kyle Flanagan, double-pumping before sending back-rower Jaydn Su’A through a yawning gap to break the deadlock.

It would be the final play of Su’A’s night, succumbing to an ankle injury suffered in the opening minutes.

Head coach Shane Flanagan is confident it won’t be a long-term issue for the Origin II hopeful.

“It’s a low-grade syndesmosis, he’s had one on that ankle before.

“He limped around a bit after he’d done it and got it strapped, it just didn’t come good. Touch wood it’s not a high grade, and he’ll be back in a week or two.”

The barnstorming try was all it took to shatter the floodgates as Clint Gutherson dived over to double the advantage minutes later.

Jaydn Su’A was forced off the field after scoring a try, after picking up an ankle injury. Picture: Getty Images

A strong run from Jack de Belin in-between off-side defenders Kai Pearce-Paul and Phoenix Crossland saw the veteran middle find open space, popping an offload to his skipper for a 12-0 lead.

Despite Newcastle settling back into the contest, a crafty pass from Cook handed rookie prop Loko Pasifika Tonga his first try in the NRL, the front-rower skittling defenders on his way to barging over the line.

Tonga was immense in his short stint, however it was his front-row partner David Klemmer that wound back the clock, playing the entire opening 40 minutes in his best start to a game this season.

Loko Pasifiki Tonga celebrates with his Dragons teammates after scoring his first NRL try. Picture: Getty Images

Co-captain Damien Cook took time after the game to mention how much Klemmer’s impact has had on this crop of young forwards.

“I’m sure Shane bought him (Klemmer) here for a bit of leadership. We’ve got a lot of young forwards, they just watch how he goes about his things.

“He sticks to his routine for training, and game day too, they’re all looking up to him knowing the big games he’s played in.”

The 18-0 halftime score would’ve felt like a reoccurring nightmare for O’Brien, having now been held scoreless in the opening 40 minutes seven times in just 12 games this year.

Following a stack of poor defensive efforts in the opening half, you couldn’t blame head coach Adam O’Brien for blowing up after his side gave up a 70-metre line break to Lawson in the first minute of the second stanza.

While the break wouldn’t bare points, the burst just sucked the energy straight from the red-and-blue outfit.

The Red V did a number on last week’s star duo in Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Lucas, the pair hardly sighted in attack as their halves Tyson Gamble and Jack Cogger tried steering the ship.

A penalty goal midway through the second stanza stretched the lead to 20 points, and put the final nail in any chance that Newcastle had of clawing their way back into the contest.

A rare dropped bomb from Gutherson handed Newcastle some much needed field position, and the chance to finally cross the white line.

A flick pass from a drifting Leo Thompson found Kai Pearce-Paul for his second NRL try, finally getting the Knights onto the score board with under 15 minutes left on the clock.

The Englishman’s four-pointer would signal the third time this season that Newcastle have scored their first points of the game in the final 12 minutes of play, and the seventh time they’ve scored 12 or less points in a game.

Rookie winger Fletcher Hunt was denied his maiden first-grade try after bobbling the ball into Tyrell Sloan, however the mullet-clad youngster’s efforts didn’t stop all game.

It leaves Newcastle to face Manly next Thursday night, as the Sea Eagles desperately cling on to the bottom of the top eight, and the Knights linger on just two wins from their last ten outings.

FLETCHER HUNTING FOR IMPACT

Fletcher Hunt has been no stranger to an error in his first three NRL games, yet the Knights’ youngster just won’t quit.

It’s crazy to think that an outside back with seven errors in the same game could be considered one of his side’s best, but Hunt did just that against the Dragons, attacking every ball that came his way.

The winger will undoubtedly lose his spot to a returning Greg Marzhew in the coming weeks, but Newcastle have certainly unearthed a goer.

O’Brien confirmed that despite Hunt’s efforts, Marzhew’s return is beckoning.

“Greg (Marzhew) is real close, he’s in the mix for Thursday night against Manly.

“Bradman (Best) and Jacob (Saifiti) are still a few weeks away.”

Knights rookie Fletcher Hunt has struggled in the first three games of his NRL career. Picture: Getty Images

RED V TIPTOE TOP EIGHT HOPES

Tonight’s victory may have been a sloppy affair, however Dragon’s coach Shane Flanagan will be happy to snag a win after some close contests in 2025.

Now sitting with a 5-6 record, the Dragons should finish the round within the top eight, an enormous feat having lost games this year despite scoring more tries than their opposition.

When you consider they’ve had four losses by eight or less points, these tight, dour affairs could have the Dragons in the top four if they figure out how to close out these contests.

ODD COUPLE CARRY DRAGONS

When you look at Dave Klemmer and Loko Pasifika Tonga, you wouldn’t find too many similarities outside of the jersey they wear each week.

Klemmer is an old school veteran, in his twilight years while Tonga is a fiery prop amid his maiden NRL season, yet the pair delivered a vital one-two punch for the Red V.

Klemmer played 57 minutes, including the entire first half, churning out 170 metres and 33 tackles without a miss, while the rookie Tonga played just 23 minutes, scoring his first NRL try after leaving Newcastle players on the deck in his wake.

Flanagan couldn’t give Klemmer his flowers quick enough post-match, recognising just how crucial his ageing middle forward was.

“I thought he was outstanding. Since he’s come to us, the David Klemmer I knew was a bit flighty and gave away a few penalties, but I haven’t seen any of it.

“He’s been fantastic for us, getting forward, doing a real front-rower’s job. Yeah, he’s not breaking tackles like he used to when he was younger, but he’s doing a fantastic job for us.”

Originally published as Five things we learned in the Dragons’ 20-6 Round 13 win over the Knights