The Raiders came into the contest off the back off two losses and their most recent game was one of their most ordinary performances in recent memory.
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Many hoped the bye week would be enough for the Green Machine to his the reset button and come out firing against the last-placed Knights.
It didn't.
The Raiders looked frustrated as they slumped to a third straight loss, growing impatient as they struggled to crack Newcastle's line despite a deluge of opportunities in the first half.
A golden point try was all that separated the two sides last year, and now the Knights have finally claimed bragging rights.
Jarrod Croker rep opportunity
The 24 hours prior meant this game was an opportunity for Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker to elevate himself into Laurie Daley's State of Origin plans.
Manly winger Tom Trbojevic was expected to be named on the wing for the series opener but his club coach Trent Barrett fears he could be out for the season after suffering left knee and ankle injuries.
Gamebreaker Jarryd Hayne also limped from the field in the Gold Coast Titans' win over Melbourne, opening the door for Croker to steal a spot in the centres.
Croker was his usual workman-like self, but a poor team performance could unfairly but him out of contention for a spot in the Blues' 17.
Croker unselfishly put winger Nick Cotric over for Canberra's first try, when he probably could have scored himself, before sparking a late flurry of attacks with the game on the line.
Should Daley opt to dial Croker's number when picking his team for the series opener on May 31, he'll have another handy goal kicker in sky blue perfectly suited for the tight contests we've grown accustomed to in the cauldron of Origin.
Jaelen Feeney silences his critics
Knights coach Nathan Brown's decision to leave Newcastle captain Trent Hodkinson in reserve grade to give Jaelen Feeney the No. 7 jumper raised a few eyebrows.
But the decision paid off in spades as Feeney and halves partner Brock Lamb played arguably their best games of the season and finished as the most influential halves pairing of the match.
Feeney silenced his critics with a hand in Newcastle's first three tries but it was the second-half fightback against a frustrated Raiders outfit that fans will remember.
Starve the back three of the ball
Is the secret to stopping Canberra's lethal attack out?
Newcastle halves Brock Lamb and Jaelen Feeney opted to kick for touch on the last tackle as often as they could, meaning Canberra's back three were starved of the ball.
Knights coach Nathan Brown says it was a deliberate tactic to try and keep the ball away from Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua. and while at times it left fans frustrated, it worked a treat.
Rapana has emerged as the competition's best winger but he was kept quiet at Hunter Stadium, running for just 59 metres from nine carries.
