Newcastle Knights over-power Canberra Raiders to send a strong message to NRL rivals

Yes, it is only early days but the Knights showed with their disposal of competition heavyweights Canberra they are a serious footy side.

It was one thing to not crumble in a heap under all sorts of adversity against the Panthers. It was another altogether to back that up a week later by completely out-playing a side who were premiership favourites only a few days ago.

Kalyn Ponga's brilliance was a big factor in their attack, as was the finishing of Edrick Lee and the power of Bradman Best. But once again, a hallmark of the win was the tireless work of the forward pack and the relentless defence.

You would not have put relentless and defence in the same sentence when talking about this side last season. But coach Adam O'Brien has, in the space of an off-season, changed their mentality completely.

Whatever the Raiders threw at them yesterday, they came up with answers.

Their only blemish was a three minute period in the second half when they were up 28-6. They took their foot off the throat, came up with a few errors that gifted the Raiders the footy and conceded back-to-back tries.

You can bet your life that little period of play will be highlighted this week when the review is done in the lead-up to the Melbourne Storm game on Saturday at Gosford.

O'Brien again deflected praise for his side's new-found defensive steel saying the players deserve all the credit for the turnaround this season.

"They're a team that at the back end of last year, all they were reading about was how they turned it up, gave up and didn't care and that's not the case," he said.

"So they are thrilled to be on the other side but they know that it can quickly change."

As for what a win like that does for self-belief, O'Brien wasn't getting carried away.

"It's early. There's parts of it we are thrilled with but there are parts where we are still not where we need to get to,"he said.

Skipper Mitchell Pearce, who said he was never in doubt to play after being concussed against the Panthers, claimed the win was only stepping stone.

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"That the standard in attitude we have to turn up with from the boys every week and so far we've been doing that," he said.

And this from new hooker Andrew McCullough, who has tasted plenty of success during his career.

"It's exciting but I just don't want to get carried away,'' he said of the win.

"It's a long year and I've been in the game long enough to know everything can turn around pretty quickly. Enjoy the wins when they come and the moment and then get back to work and keep working hard.

"The worst thing you can do is get carried away."

Kurt Mann's ankle injury was the only sour note with Tex Hoy, Mason Lino and Phoenix Crossland all set to come into consideration for the Storm game.

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