Blake Green has breathed new life into Newcastle’s NRL finals hopes after starring in the club’s 44-4 thrashing of the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
The comprehensive win simultaneously threw the Tigers into a tailspin to save their own season as the dismal display notched up their third consecutive loss.
For Green, it was the second win in as many weeks over the Tigers after arriving at the Knights from the Warriors at the start of the week.
An old hand at fitting in quickly, Green slipped easily into attacking structures and set up the first try of the night and put up the kick for the second within the first 14 minutes.
His experience allowed the new-look spine to click as the Knights advanced to a 24-4 halftime lead before completing a 40-point rout.
Star fullback Kalyn Ponga was as dangerous as he has been all season, scoring two tries as well as setting up another two.
His 194 metres and three linebreaks ripped through poor Tigers defence that did not do milestone man Chris Lawrence justice in his 250th NRL match.
In all the Knights scored eight tries with Hymel Hunt, Starford To’a, Jacob Saifiti, Herman Ese’ese, Gehamat Shibasaki and Phonix Crossland also crossing over.
Sure to infuriate Tigers coach Michael Maguire, errors caused most of the damage with seven in the first half alone.
Halfback Benji Marshall, in his 250th game for the club, had a particularly difficult night as the forward pack was thoroughly outmuscled.
Halves Marshall and the recalled Luke Brooks were targeted in defence, but had limited ball in attacking space to get points on the board.
Their lone try was not a moment of brilliance and came just before halftime when Luciano Leilua kicked through a ball that ricocheted from Marshall’s boot to score.
The loss will come as a huge blow to the Tigers who now face a tough run into the end of the season and sit 10th on the ladder, in danger of missing the finals.
Over the last seven rounds they will play every top four side as well as Manly, South Sydney and Gold Coast.
Meanwhile, the Knights moved into sixth position on the NRL ladder despite eight starting players missing through injury.
