The Knights outclassed the Dragons 32-12 on Saturday night to secure fifth spot and home advantage in week one of the 2023 finals.
Missing several of their superstars, including strike fullback Kalyn Ponga (shoulder), the Knights unveiled a new-look spine and despite a chaotic end to the match, extended their winning streak to nine.
In worrying signs for the home side, the Knights opened the scoring in just the second minute courtesy of a slick right side shift featuring Adam Clune and Adam Elliott which was finished off by prop Jacob Saifiti.
Newcastle five-eighth Tyson Gamble then stamped his class on the match with a line break and a perfectly timed pass to centre Enari Tuala, extending the lead 12-0.
Jacob Saifiti Try
The Dragons hit back in the 18th minute when skipper Ben Hunt produced a spectacular chip and chase try over the top of stand-in fullback Lachie Miller, bringing the Kogarah crowd to their feet.
Nine minutes before half time Knights winger Greg Marzhew finished off a slick left side raid to cross for his 20th try of the season and extend the visitors' lead to 10 at the break.
Newcastle struck the first blow of the second half when mid-season recruit Fa'amanu Brown crashed over for his first try as a night thanks to some earlier lead up work from centre Bradman Best.
Fa'amanu Brown Try
The Dragons reduced the deficit in the 66th minute when winger Mikaele Ravalawa scored a try in the corner before a chaotic five minutes played out with Miller and Dragons forward Blake Lawrie both sin-binned for professional fouls.
But Knights winger Dominic Young stole the final stages, going back-to-back in the last five minutes spectacular tries to seal Newcastle's ninth-straight victory on the trot ahead of a finals clash that could include the Sharks, Roosters or Raiders.
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Match Snapshot
- Knights stand-in fullback Lachie Miller was sent to the sin bin in the 68th minute of the match for a professional foul.
- Dragons forward Blake Lawrie was also sin binned for a professional foul in the 73rd minute.
- Knights winger Greg Marzhew ran for 212 metres and Dominic Young made 204 metres.
- Knights forward Mat Croker was sent for a head injury assessment in the 73rd minute of the match.
- Dragons forward Billy Burns got through a mountain of work in defence with 42 tackles in his 80-minute stint in the backrow.
- The Knights had not won at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium since 2009 previously.
- Dragons halfback Ben Hunt has now scored a try in his past five games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Play of the Game
Knights winger Dominic Young broke the club's record for most tries in a season in style with a remarkable put down in the 77th minute to ice the Round 27 victory. Young's incredible one-hand put down broke the club's record for tries in a season - eclipsing Timana Tahu and Akuila Uate. Two minutes later he added a second to take his tally to 23 for the season.
Dominic Young Try
What They Said
"We've been up for a long time now in terms of our preparation and our attitude towards the game...tonight we were guilty of trying a bit too hard at times and we started poor in both halves and game them a jump. This playing group is learning a lot of tough lessons along the way unfortunately." - Dragons interim coach Ryan Carr
Dragons: Round 27
"I'll be here (next year). I've had a couple of chats with Flanno (Shane Flanagan) and they've been positive conversations. We'll have the pre-season to work things out." - Dragons skipper Ben Hunt
"I had belief in the playing group. We spoke all week about putting in a really professional performance and by professional we meant it didn't matter who wasn't playing it mattered who was and what their responsibility to the jersey and to the team was going to be. And I felt like those young boys in particular lived up to it and the senior blokes certainly helped them as well. We'll have a healthy squad next week that bounces into the week now off the back of that performance now." - Knights coach Adam O'Brien
Knights: Round 27
What's Next
The Knights have secured fifth spot to lock in a home final next week and will hope to welcome back halfback Jackson Hastings (ankle) who has been sidelined since Round 24.
The Dragons finish the season in second-last position, equalling their worst ever finish as a joint venture in 2019 and their attention will now turn to the Pacific Championships and preparations for the 2024 season.
The Dragons will welcome new coach Shane Flanagan who will be joined by 2024 signing Hame Sele from the Rabbitohs as the only 2024 signing to date.