Knights coach Adam O'Brien believes Daniel Saifiti has "turned the corner" on an early-season form slump, the representative prop a standout in Newcastle's 14-8 win over the Warriors.
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With experienced trio Kalyn Ponga, Tyson Frizell and Jacob Saifiti all missing on Sunday, the Knights needed their remaining leaders to step up at McDonald Jones Stadium and it was Saifiti's second-half try which ultimately proved the match-winning points.
The 28-year-old crashed over from close range in the 62nd minute to help put Newcastle a converted-try in front and land a crushing mental blow on the Warriors after they had fought back and levelled with a penalty goal nine minutes earlier.
"He's the first to admit that he's been a little bit quiet," O'Brien said of Saifiti, who has averaged 93 run-metres per game this season, well short of his career-best average of 150 metres in 2021.
"I thought he was good last week too.
"Tonight he built on what he did last week, but he's the first one to admit it, he doesn't shy away from it. From what he's capable of, [he] has been a little bit down.
"But he's worked really hard at training the whole way through.
"[We] just couldn't quite put our finger on why it wasn't working out for him."
Aside from the try, Saifiti put in a solid 47-minute shift on a heavy track against one of the best pack's in the NRL, making 103 metres from 11 runs and 15 tackles.
It followed his 102 metres and 21 tackles in the 18-14 win over the Dolphins the week prior.
"I feel like he has turned the corner the past two weeks," O'Brien said.
"He has been exceptional.
"Especially when you're missing some leaders in terms of 'Friz' is not there, Jacob Saifiti is not there, and then of course Kalyn [Ponga], then we need Daniel."
The two other players O'Brien singled out were hooker Jayden Brailey and centre Dane Gagai, both of whom are in the side's leadership group.
It wasn't the prettiest of wins in front of 16,094 fans who braved the weather, but the Knights did enough across an often scrappy 80 minutes to emerge victorious and claim what could be two crucial competition points.
They led 8-0 early after Tyson Gamble's try in the 10th minute and a penalty goal from Gagai five minutes later.
But the Warriors hit back via utility Dylan Walker midway through the first half, and Shaun Johnson's 53rd-minute penalty goal put the game in the balance as a downpour hit the ground.
But Saifiti's four-pointer, off a short ball from halfback Jackson Hastings, gave the Knights a lead that they worked tirelessly to retain.
The Warriors had their chances but poor ball-handling and discipline cost them. They gave away 10 penalties and made eight errors. Newcastle were far from perfect themselves, making nine errors, and were lucky not to concede further points on multiple occasions.
They now have consecutive away games against the struggling Tigers in Tamworth and Titans at Magic Round in Brisbane before their first bye.
