A dominant second-half display from playmaker Jahrome Hughes has inspired Melbourne to a 32-14 win over Newcastle.
An uncharacteristic opening 40 minutes from Hughes, with both his passing and kicking game leaving much to be desired, was matched across the board by the Storm who led for the most part of the first half.
Down 8-2 in the shadows of the break, an inch-perfect bomb for back-rower Eli Katoa to score untouched provided the impetus for Hughes to make the game his own after the break.
A further three try assists – including a double to fill-in winger Kane Bradley – assured Melbourne their place in the competition's top two heading into the home stretch of the regular season.
"He didn't have the first half that he would have liked, which happens sometimes, but he certainly clicked into gear in the second half, especially his kicking game," Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said.
"He led the way, took charge and did a tremendous job for us in the second half."
Melbourne's sixth-straight win proved a hammer blow to the Knights' campaign, with their chances of finals football now resigned to mathematical calculations.
Newcastle were left to rue their positive start to the game when Queensland Origin hero Trent Loiero crashed over in the 46th minute. Two minutes later, another Hughes bomb saw Bradley fly sky high to extend Melbourne's lead.
Hughes would ice the game midway through the second half with a further two try assists for Loiero and Bradley's second four-pointers respectively, the latter coming off the back of a pinpoint 40-20 from the New Zealand international.
Newcastle provided some fight when Fletcher Hunt secured points from a ricocheted offload into the final 10 minutes, but it would all be in vain when Katoa strolled over minutes later for a second try of his own.
"Melbourne have guys who can hurt you at a moment's notice and their plays on last hurt us most. Their last tackle options are a big weapon for them," Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said.
"We had a good grip of the game in the first 35 minutes, but they latched on from there. That transitioned into the first 15 minutes of the second half. That's where we lost the game."
Despite the 18-point loss, there were positive signs for the Knights in the form of mid-season recruit Dom Young.
The former Rooster continued his stellar form in his Newcastle homecoming, having a hand in all three of their tries. A special chip-over-the-top effort from the Englishman to score the game's first try was one of few highlights for the hosts.
"We have clearly missed someone like Dom who can create something out of nothing, and he did that for us a couple of times and it's good to have him back," O'Brien added.
Of further concern for Newcastle is the immediate playing future of back-rower Dylan Lucas, who limped off midway through the second half with a foot injury.
