Newcastle have spoiled the return to the SCG party for the Sydney Roosters, handing them a convincing 20-6 defeat and restricting the glamour club to just one try in their opening match of the NRL season.
The Knights scored four tries and if it hadn't been for a late four-pointer to Paul Momirovski it would have been a complete humiliation for Trent Robinson's men on Saturday afternoon.
"We got what we deserved today. We were well-beaten," Robinson said.
The Roosters are expected to be a force to be reckoned with after the return to NRL action of several stars from long-term injuries, including half Luke Keary, outside back Joey Manu and Origin forward Lindsay Collins.
But the Knights didn't get that memo and played classy and committed football for a deserved win.
"You don't win the premiership in round one but it was important to get off to a good start against quality opposition," Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said.
The Roosters have made the finals the past five years despite losing in the first round three times, including in 2018 and 2019 when they won the premiership.
But one incident could have ramifications throughout the season.
The Roosters medical staff gave lock Victor Radley the all-clear to stay on the field, after he charged in to tackle Knights five-eighth Jake Clifford and came off second best, only for the NRL's independent doctors on the sideline ordered him off.
The Roosters said Radley showed no signs of concussion, but the doctors watching replays said he did.
"It's frustrating but I agree with what they've gone to. They (NRL) have made a call on how to get rid of the cheating in the system that we all acknowledge has been there," Robinson said.
"It's a better system but they've got to make sure they're not pulling guys out of games without any symptoms at all. There has to be some consultation there.
"But for us that's not why we lost the game."
Robinson pinpointed a few guys "being a bit underdone playing NRL" due to the injuries the squad had in the off-season.
With centre Billy Smith failing his HIA in the 53rd minute, the Roosters were down to 15 men for most of the second half.
Even Knights utility Phoenix Crossland being sin-binned didn't help with the Roosters unable to land a blow against 12 men.
The Knights took a 10-2 lead into halftime, after tries to Dane Gagai and Enari Tuala.
The experienced Gagai returned to Newcastle this season after four years away at South Sydney.
"The addition of Dane Gagai was massive," Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga said.
Tries in the second half to Clifford and winger Dominic Young sealed the result.
The Roosters woes from the match could continue with Radley placed on report for a crusher tackle while Collins was put on report for attacking Tuala's legs, a 'cannonball' tackle.
