The Parramatta Eels have spoiled the party in Dane Gagai's 300th NRL appearance, continuing a strong recent record in the Hunter with a 28-6 win over the Newcastle Knights.
Leading from start to finish to crush the hopes of 20,125 supporters in attendance, the Eels posted their fourth win from five visits to Newcastle this decade to potentially move off the bottom of the ladder pending other results this weekend.
The result was a further blow to the confidence of the Knights who followed up last week's calamitous collapse at home with an inept attacking display riddled with errors and ill-discipline.
In an energetic opening which saw both sides show their intentions by attacking close to the sidelines, a rampaging run from Jack Williams allowed the Eels to capitalise with future Knight Dylan Brown laying on a well-placed chip kick into the arms of Mitchell Moses (11th minute) for first points.
The Eels extended their lead minutes later off the back of a penalty and repeat set with Zac Lomax (14th minute) exposing the makeshift edge pairing of debutant Fletcher Hunt and Dylan Lucas - shifted to centre following a hamstring injury to Bradman Best at training - to score his 50th career try.
The Knights were not without their chances during the opening half only to come up with errors inside their opponent's half; despite having ample opportunities to extend their lead the Eels remained ahead 10-0 at the break.
A one-on-one strip by Dylan Walker midway through the second half paved the way for the Eels to break the Knights' resolve with Lomax (55th minute) outmuscling Hunt out wide to collect his second of the night.
Following a run of infringements in quick succession against Newcastle - resulting in Kai Pearce-Paul being sent to the sin bin - the Eels added a penalty goal before cutting loose with tries to Brown (64th minute) and Jordan Samrani (66th minute) in consecutive sets.
In a fleeting moment of joy for the badly beaten home side, Gagai marked his milestone match with flick pass that sent James Schiller (75th minute) over for a consolation try to round out the 28-6 rout.
Next week, the Knights will face the Panthers in Bathurst on Saturday evening, while the Eels will host the Sea Eagles on Friday night at home.