Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds has come alive when it counted, scoring the match-winning try in the 77th minute to snatch a 24-20 win over a Newcastle side that did not deserve to lose.
Reynolds, touted as a possible replacement for the injured Nathan Cleary in the NSW side for game two of the State of Origin series, started and finished a movement that included an extraordinary flick pass from No.6 Ezra Mam.
The Broncos No.7 had an indifferent night up until the gamebreaker but showcased his class when the game was on the line at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
The late try was reminiscent of Kevin Walters and Allan Langer in their pomp in the 1990s.
"I don't think Kevvie or Alfie could have thrown the pass that Ezra threw," Broncos coach Walters grinned.
"It was great with (Mam and Reynolds) orchestrating things at the back end. The flick pass from Ezra was superb and Adam with his skills being in support knowing that could happen was equally as important."
Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai were both sensational for the visitors after being overlooked by Queensland for the Origin series opener.
It was some statement by the duo in a display of absolute class.
Gagai set up two tries for blockbusting winger Dom Young and had a hand in another, while Ponga was the best player on the field.
The match had been billed as the battle between the new Queensland No.1, Reece Walsh, and the man he usurped for the crown, Ponga.
Both were brilliant in a ding-dong battle.
Knights skipper Ponga owned the first half with two line breaks and a sensational 60m try where he did it all himself. His last manoeuvre in the run was a left foot step that left Walsh grasping at air.
Walsh was dangerous enough in the first half but came alive in the second to set up winger Selwyn Cobbo for a try in the corner to give the hosts a 12-10 lead. Walsh then made a try-saving tackle on blockbusting winger Greg Marzhew.
Young showcased his speed and skill to race away and put Mat Croker over before he scored himself after Gagai genius. The Knights led 20-12 in the 58th minute and looked like the winners.
Walsh, not to be outdone, threw a cracking cutout pass to put Brendan Piakura over under the sticks in the 68th minute and the comeback was on.
Reynolds then came up with the magic that may yet result in him being given the task of helping resuscitate the Blues’ Origin hopes.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien was effusive in his praise of Ponga but rueful at the loss.
"We thought we'd get a couple of pats on the back for the effort but we are getting past that now. We are disappointed," he said.
"I don't want us to be the team that is just content with having a crack."
The clash had so many heroes. Walsh had 13 tackle busts and ran for 214m. Ponga ran for 224m and had 10 tackle breaks in a showdown for the ages between two of the most exciting fullbacks of the modern era.
At the death Ponga hit Walsh under the ribs as both No.1s came together in a match they both owned.
The crowd of 35,814 was the biggest for a Broncos-Knights game at Suncorp Stadium since Wayne Bennett's 2008 farewell match in his first instalment as Brisbane coach.
