Kalyn Ponga's State of Origin snubbing has proven Newcastle's gain after he helped the Knights to a 28-18 win over an understrength Manly.
With all eyes on Ponga, winger Greg Marzhew bagged a hat-trick for the Knights, while Dane Gagai had several strong runs after being dropped by Queensland.
Without Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans due to State of Origin and Jake Trbojevic through injury, Manly did well to stay in contention in Newcastle.
They scored two tries via intercepts and were in the match with 15 minutes to play at 18-18, before Tolutau Koula was sin-binned for a high hit rushing up on Ponga.
Ultimately, it proved decisive.
Phoenix Crossland cleaned up a scrappy play to score under the posts, before Dominic Young brushed off four defenders to go 95 metres and seal the result with five minutes to play.
Ponga had a mixed bag in his first match since being overlooked by the Maroons amid concussion concerns.
Moved to fullback by the Knights, he was involved in everything early, including throwing an intercept for Manly's first try and kicking a short dropout that led to a penalty goal when it failed to go 10 metres.
But he rebounded to look dangerous in almost every run, producing several half-breaks and throwing the last pass for a go-ahead Marzhew try early in the second half.
Ponga also bounced back from several hits and was not required to go off for an HIA despite contact to the head in both the first and second half.
He finished with four tackle busts and two line-break assists, looking more threatening at the back than he has recently playing five-eighth.
After the Sea Eagles led 8-0 through Ponga's early blemishes, the Knights were able to haul themselves back into the match at 10-8 up when they found success down the left edge.
Jackson Hastings and Bradman Best combined to help Marzhew score in the 31st minute, before Tyson Gamble burst down the middle in the next set and put Best over.
The Sea Eagles had a 14-10 lead before the break when Lachlan Croker benefited from a batted-down pass after a Josh Schuster kick, in a play that summed up the first half.
But the Knights, though appearing rushed before the break, were more composed in the second half.
They regained control when Ponga put Marzhew over, before the winger bounded downfield in the next set to complete his hat-trick and give the home side the lead.
Again, the Sea Eagles were able to hit back through a Jason Saab intercept.
But when the match was on the line, the Sea Eagles missed their key players and spark in attack compared to a Knights side who iced their late opportunities.
The win moves the Knights to 10th on the ladder, one spot below the Sea Eagles and with both sides on 13 points.
AAP
