Seven months down the track and the Dragons forwards have completed a remarkable about-face.

The Red V pack bashed Manly into submission at WIN Stadium last week and put in another gritty performance against Newcastle to lead the team to a 13-0 whitewash at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.

It was at that same venue last September that then-Knights prop Willie Mason taunted his Wollongong opponents, saying "you need some front-rowers, you cats".

Mason's harsh comments followed months of criticism about the club's lack of size.

Dragons utility forward Jack de Belin admitted those jibes had been discussed among the playing group leading up to Saturday's trip north.

And he couldn't have been happier to leave the Knights - and Mason - with egg on their faces.

"Last week when we played Willie he kind of went hiding a little bit," de Belin said.

"It was good to get that over him because it was pretty embarrassing actually what happened with Willie last year.

"I know it hurt our pride and egos.

"I know those Newcastle boys were getting on the back of it and having a little giggle.

"That was in our mind tonight [Saturday], to keep them quiet and get the win.

"I feel like we've been muscling up every week and starting to put it over a few packs."

St George Illawarra went on the hunt for size during the off-season and came back with George Rose, Rory O'Brien and Rulon Nutira.

It's been the "old" guard, however, that has been leading the way so far this season.

Penrith-bound Trent Merrin played the entire 80 minutes against Newcastle and returned 20 runs for 164 metres, as well as 50 tackles and three tackle breaks.

Big Englishman Mike Cooper was the only other Dragons forward to break triple figures in metres gained, but Tyson Frizell and Leeson Ah Mau also put in a mountain of work.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor may have a selection headache in front of him this week as club captain Ben Creagh fights to return from a back injury.

Creagh has missed the past four games as he recovered from a fractured back. However, McGregor indicated the experience lock could return for Sunday's clash with Canterbury.

"He's our captain so he'll play some footy if he's healthy," McGregor said.

"We'll worry about who we change come the end of the week."