St George Illawarra's winless run has extended to 13 matches after winger Greg Marzhew crossed for five tries in Newcastle's commanding 44-10 victory on Saturday.
From Marzhew's first try in the eighth minute, the Dragons were never truly competitive and will finish the weekend two wins adrift of the second-last team.
The winless Dragons trailed 32-0 at halftime in Wollongong, an even larger deficit than the 62-16 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day.
That previous defeat could be partially attributed to a disrupted preparation following the sacking of coach Shane Flanagan five days before kick-off.
However, the Saints were equally hapless in Dean Young's second game as interim coach, despite having a full fortnight to prepare during the bye.
Injuries to Moses Suli (back) and Dan Atkinson (hand) forced Lyhkan King-Togia into the halves and shifted Clint Gutherson from fullback to centre before kick-off.
In his 150th game, fullback Kalyn Ponga helped the Knights dismantle both makeshift edges, with Newcastle particularly dangerous when attacking from long range.
The Knights exposed King-Togia and an out-of-sorts Val Holmes on the left edge, while Kade Reed was a frequent target on the other side.
Ponga breezed past the second-gamer to set up Dylan Lucas for the fifth of Newcastle's six first-half tries.
Stopping a full-strength Knights side was always going to be difficult, but the Dragons did little to help themselves.
King-Togia threw an intercept pass that allowed Bradman Best to score an 80-metre try, reminding NSW coach Laurie Daley of his State of Origin credentials.
Marzhew scored his second try by flopping over from dummy-half in the first half, embarrassing Gutherson and Reed defending the tryline.
The left winger completed back-to-back hat-tricks after crashing past Setu Tu on the last tackle midway through the second half, then added a fourth try thanks to Best's flick pass.
His fifth came in the final minutes as he sprinted into open space from close range.
The Dragons scored two second-half tries from grubber kicks to the right edge.
Left winger Mat Feagai left the field with a back injury during the second half and faces an uncertain return date.
But the bigger question is when the Dragons can realistically achieve their first win of the season, having not tasted victory since early August.
Before their next bye, the Dragons face top-four sides Penrith and the Warriors, then reigning premiers Brisbane and perennial contenders Cronulla.
Only one of their next six games will be played at home.
The win continues the Knights' resurgence under first-year coach Justin Holbrook, who has guided the reigning wooden spooners to a 6-4 record.
