It's the game Newcastle players look forward to all year, but Knights coach Rick Stone has warned his troops to control the emotion of `Old Boys' day in Saturday night's vital NRL clash against St George Illawarra.

The Knights need to beat the Dragons at EnergyAustralia Stadium to keep their faint finals hopes alive, with two wins from their remaining two matches a bare minimum.

Newcastle's cause is sure to be helped by the support of a large contingent of former Knights greats who gather for the last home game of the year.

But despite having won nine of the past 10 `Old Boys' games, Stone says it is vital his players put the emotion of the occasion to one side and focus on playing the football required to beat the Dragons.

"There's a little bit of electricity around the game, there's a little bit of excitement around the game and sometimes we can get a bit frantic," Stone told reporters.

"We've just got to show some composure and a bit of stability when it's our turn to get out there and actually play.

"It looks like there's going to be a decent crowd and there's a bit riding on the game for both teams and obviously being `Old Boys' day adds more interest and a little bit more excitement to the game."

The match will also double as a farewell to retiring backrower Steve Simpson, who was forced to call it quits midway through the year due to a chronic knee injury.

While happy he'll get the chance to say goodbye, Simpson admitted he would have loved one more `Old Boys' game.

"They're always something you look forward to at the end of each year ... as a player for so many years you would really relish these games," Simpson said.

"(But) you can't let the emotion get the better of you.

"You've still got to go out there do you're job - you can't let it get the better of you."

Just over 500 tickets remained available late on Friday night with the game sure to be a sellout, the venue still with a reduced capacity due to the construction of the western grandstand.

Fullback Shannon McDonnell (hamstring) trained strongly on Friday and is considered a likely starter despite a hamstring injury, with Wes Naiqama on standby.

The Dragons' seemingly clear run to successive minor premierships ran into a major hurdle last week when they're were beaten 32-16 by bogey side Canberra.

The red and whites still need one more win to lock up top spot, but it is the fear of another late-season fade-out which will have Wayne Bennett's men desperate to right the ship against the Knights.

And it's why Stone is fearing a backlash.

"Obviously the Dragons are stinging a little bit because their pride I think was dented last week," Stone said.

"We expect them to be physical and very committed on Saturday night.

"Whoever gets on top there goes a long way towards winning."

Dragons forwards Nick Emmett and Luke Priddis are expected to drop off the six-man bench named earlier this week.

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