Kalyn Ponga has guided Newcastle to a 34-18 win over a spirited Wests Tigers outfit that keeps the Knights' NRL finals hopes alive and puts their rivals at serious risk of claiming back-to-back wooden spoons.
A clash with the 14th-placed Knights appeared the Tigers' best chance in weeks to snare their fourth win of 2023 and ensure they would finish round 20 on level points with 16th-placed St George Illawarra.
After trailing 18-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night, the Tigers did well to close the margin to four points in the second half as rookie fullback Jahream Bula grabbed a try-scoring double.
But Ponga's ball-playing in the red zone proved the difference between the sides. The fullback had a hand in five of his side's seven tries to ensure a memorable 100th game for the Knights.
"There's a whole heap of variables but none moreso than his work and his determination," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said of Ponga's recent form.
"The positional change, he's been put back to his preferred position at fullback. And I think the guys around him are playing well too."
After winning only three of their first 17 games this season, the Tigers likely need to claim two of their remaining seven matches to hoist themselves from the bottom of the ladder, given their inferior points difference.
Next week's clash with the Dragons is a must-win and the Dolphins appear the Tigers' best chance of snaring another victory on the run home.
"We fought back but we were chasing our tails for the whole game," Tigers coach Tim Sheens said of the latest loss.
"We're lacking direction, we're not sticking to the game plan. The coaches are very unhappy about that."
The Knights could finish the weekend on the cusp of the top eight, pending other results.
It's been quite the turnaround for Newcastle.
Since O'Brien admitted his job was under pressure late last month, they have won two games by a combined total of 100-18 - though things were considerably harder this week than in the 66-0 demolition of Canterbury.
"We got dragged into some scrappy-type footy in the second half," O'Brien said.
"But I don't think we were ever in any danger of losing the game."
Friday's win would have been more comfortable had Ponga brought his kicking boots - the fullback managed only three from seven attempts at goal.
But that was the only blemish on his milestone night.
Ponga opened up the edges at will to help Newcastle to three tries in nine minutes in the early stages.
State of Origin hero Bradman Best grabbed the second of those on the left, while winger Dom Young moved clear atop the NRL try-scoring leaderboard for 2023 with his 17th four-pointer down the right.
He added another try to his season haul after crossing in the 55th minute.
But Bula helped the Tigers hit back and they were well and truly in the fight when Api Koroisau, on return from a jaw injury, chased a Brandon Wakeham grubberkick and had the Tigers back to 18-12.
One of the sin bin's most loyal visitors, Jack Hetherington went for 10 minutes for slapping Will Smith after a receiving a high tackle early in the second half.
"Jack's smart enough to understand that they baited him and he fell for it," O'Brien said.
"I'll talk to him on Monday."
But the Knights kept the penalty and marched downfield where a fleet-footed Ponga again exposed some leaky right-edge defence.
Nevertheless, the Tigers wouldn't lie down with Isaiah Papali'i bursting through and passing off for Bula's second try.
It was only when Young broke the line and passed in-field to Tyson Gamble in the 74th minute that the Knights could breathe easily.
