The nib Newcastle Knights have been downed 36-18 by the Wests Tigers in the opening game at the NRL's Magic Round.
A first-half onslaught from the Tigers left them with a 24-4 half-time lead, which ultimately proved too much for the Knights to pull back in front of a healthy crowd at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
It was a disastrous start for Newcastle, with Tommy Talau streaking into a huge hole and putting Luke Brooks under the posts.
Points continued to leak, with a calamity at the back resulting in James Tamou grabbing his first ever Tigers try, while David Nofoaluma spectacularly found the corner for Wests' third.
Before the Queensland crowd blinked, it was 18-0.
Luck seemed to be turning for the Knights, with Hymel Hunt crossing for a spectacular try in the corner, before Hoy was sin-binned for repeated ruck infringements.
The Tigers instantly made the most of the extra man, with Adam Doueihi crossing in the corner to extend their lead back to 16.
Hunt gets Knights on the board
Starford To'a was unlucky not to hit back, with a bunker intervention taking a try off the young winger after it was awarded on-field.
The second stanza got off to a better start, with Brodie Jones strolling over untouched before the Tigers took control.
Talau and Doueihi added back-to-back four pointers to build an unassailable 36-8 lead.
The Knights finished with a wet sail after Joe Ofahengaue was sent to the bin himself, with Jayden Brailey crossing for his second try in as many weeks.
The Knights now head to Townsville to face the in-form Cowboys on Thursday night, with the team to go into camp on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow afternoon.
Jones gets a much-needed try for the Knights
