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Kalyn Ponga led the Knights to a big win over the Dragons in atrocious conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Ponga finished with 95 run metres, six tackle busts, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, a try assist and the match sealing try in a 14-point haul.
MATCH CENTRE: Knights vs Dragons teams, SuperCoach scores, videos, updates
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Ben Hunt on his future at the Dragons | 03:33
Ben Hunt threaded the needle with a perfect grubber for Zac Lomax to score in the corner.
Lomax returned the favour to Hunt with arguably the try assist of the season with a freak flick pass as he went over the sideline.
Enari Tuala dived over in the corner after some silky hands form the Knights who took back the lead.
Daniel Saifiti won a foot race to dot down in the in goal as the Knights extended their lead before half-time.
“Our guys took that personally” -O’Brien | 06:43
Dylan Lucas was a late inclusion for Tyson Frizell and scored a try under the posts to make it 24-10 at half-time to the Knights.
Luckless Dragons centre Jack Bird limped off with a knee injury after a tackle from Jackson Hastings.
Ponga set up a break with a brilliant pass before backing up to slide over and score the match clinching try.
“Our guys took that personally” -O’Brien | 06:43
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MATCH PREVIEW
Kalyn Ponga and the Newcastle Knights host Ben Hunt and the St George Illawarra Dragons in a crucial clash at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Tyson Frizell was a late scratching with a hamstring injury, with Dylan Lucas coming into the team in a straight swap.
Dane Gagai returns from a medical condition in the centres, while Jayden Brailey starts at hooker for the first time since his return from injury.
All eyes will be on the third Knights’ halves pairing for the season with Jackson Hastings at halfback and Jack Cogger shifting to five-eighth.
For the Dragons Tom Eisenhuth reverts back to the bench as per last week with Blake Lawrie shifting to lock.
Michael Molo replaces Hame Sele on the bench.
Both sides are desperate for aa win to keep in touch with the top eight.
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TEAMS
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 18. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 15. Blake Lawrie 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Jesse Marschke 16. Michael Molo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
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