Just days after being released by South Sydney, Shane Marteene will make his debut for St George Illawarra against the Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium this weekend.

Marteene's inclusion in the centres is one of a raft of changes to a Dragons side which is without star players Matt Cooper, Mark Gasnier, Trent Barrett, Jason Ryles and Luke Bailey due to State of Origin commitments.

"I am very happy to have this opportunity and am looking forward to playing with the Dragons," said the 93-game veteran.

"It appears to be a great club and hopefully I can do a job for them."

Wes Naiqama returns from suspension to partner Marteene in the centres, while Clint Greenshields slots into fullback and Daniel Holdsworth covers for Barrett at five-eighth.

NSW centre Cooper was confident that the Dragons could post their sixth win in seven games against the Knights despite the major changes in personnel.

"I think the guys that will come in will do a great job," Cooper said.

"We've shown in the past couple of years that we can win when we haven't got the State of Origin players in."

Newcastle, which is without Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson due to Origin, have named Luke Quigley at hooker.

With Andrew Johns still unavailable, Dane Campbell again fills his big shoes, with 18-year-old Jarrod Mullen named at five-eighth.

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