Dragons vs Knights Team Update: Suli Ruled Out as Sloan Starts in NRL Round 10

St George Illawarra’s Round 10 meeting with Newcastle has taken a late turn, with Moses Suli ruled out through a back issue and Tyrell Sloan shifting into the starting side for Saturday’s NRL clash at WIN Stadium.

The Dragons host the Knights on 9 May 2026 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, Australia, in the NRL Premiership, Round 10. The match panel lists a 10:30 start time, while Sofascore’s event details show the fixture at 05:00 UTC. Todd Smith is listed as referee.

The fixture arrives with St George Illawarra under heavy pressure. The Dragons are shown in 17th place with only 2 points, having played 8 matches for 0 wins, 0 draws and 8 losses. Their points differential is listed at -151, and their recent form line reads L L L L L.

Newcastle arrive in a stronger position, sitting 11th with 10 points from 9 matches. The Knights have recorded 5 wins, 0 draws and 4 losses, with a points differential of -30. Their recent form line reads W L L L W, giving them a clearer platform before the Wollongong trip.

The official NRL match centre lists the Dragons vs Knights Round 10 fixture, with live updates, team information and match data for the WIN Stadium meeting.

Dragons reshuffle after Suli injury blow

Dean Young’s updated squad confirms a significant late change for the Red V. Moses Suli has been ruled out with a back issue, forcing Tyrell Sloan into the run-on side. Hame Sele has also dropped off the bench, leaving the Dragons with another adjustment before kick-off.

The change comes during a difficult opening stretch for St George Illawarra, who are still chasing their first win of the season. The ladder position and form line add urgency to a home fixture that already carries weight for the club’s supporters.

There are still important positives in the Dragons team update. Clint Gutherson returns from a hamstring issue and is named captain, while Dylan Egan is back in the run-on side after recovering from an ACL injury. Egan’s return follows a near year-long recovery and a successful comeback through the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, where he scored twice in Round 8.

Luciano Leilua remains unavailable through suspension, leaving the Dragons without another senior option. The updated run-on side includes Gutherson, Setu Tu, Sloan, Valentine Holmes, Mathew Feagai, Daniel Atkinson, Kade Reed, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Ryan Couchman and Hamish Stewart.

The interchange has Josh Kerr, Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, Blake Lawrie and Jacob Halangahu, while Kyle Flanagan, Lyhkan King-Togia and Christian Tuipulotu are listed among the wider squad. The Dragons’ official team list outlines the Round 10 squad and late changes for the Knights match.

Knights bring steadier form into Wollongong

Newcastle travel to WIN Stadium with a more settled team picture. The Knights are unchanged from their win over South Sydney, giving them continuity against a Dragons side forced into another late reshuffle.

Kalyn Ponga captains Newcastle from fullback and remains the central figure in the Knights’ attacking shape. Against a Dragons backline altered by Suli’s absence, Ponga’s involvement could become one of the defining factors of the contest.

The fantasy and DFS projections also point to Newcastle carrying several high-impact options. Dylan Lucas is projected at 63.2 points, ahead of Kalyn Ponga at 62 points. Dragons hooker Damien Cook is projected at 58 points, making him one of St George Illawarra’s most important players in both fantasy and match-impact terms.

Fletcher Sharpe stands out as a value pick at 48.2 projected points, while Kyle Flanagan is listed as a low-value option with only 4.8 projected points. Those numbers underline Newcastle’s stronger fantasy profile going into the match, although the Dragons still have proven names capable of shifting momentum at home.

The contrast between the two teams is clear. The Dragons are winless, sitting at the bottom end of the ladder with a heavy negative differential. Newcastle are not in the top-eight picture yet, but their 5-4 record and recent win over South Sydney give them a stronger base entering Round 10.

For St George Illawarra, the path into the match is built around control, discipline and a sharper start. Cook’s service around the ruck, Gutherson’s return at the back and Sloan’s opportunity in the starting side give the Dragons clear storylines. Egan’s return also adds physical presence to a pack that needs to hold its own early.

For Newcastle, the task is to turn ladder advantage and selection stability into scoreboard pressure. Ponga’s timing, Lucas’ workload and Sharpe’s value as an attacking option could place stress on a Dragons side still trying to find rhythm and confidence.

The Round 10 clash now carries more than a simple ladder gap. It is a test of whether the Dragons can respond to another setback at home, and whether the Knights can back up a recent win with the kind of away performance that pushes them closer to the middle of the NRL table.