Greg Marzhew scored five tries the last time Newcastle played St George Illawarra but Dean Young has a plan for the "improved" Dragons to stop history repeating.
The Knights are leaning towards resting State of Origin representatives Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas given a tight turnaround into Friday's rematch.
Either Fletcher Sharpe or Fletcher Hunt will likely push to fullback if Queensland's Ponga misses out, while young forward Cody Hopwood is a leading contender for more minutes in place of NSW second-rower Lucas.
