Newcastle's early-season surge from wooden spooners to top-four contenders has caught most observers in the NRL off guard.
But not Sydney Roosters forward Angus Crichton, who says it's no shock to see new head coach Justin Holbrook turning the Knights into surprise contenders.
Holbrook spent time as an assistant under Trent Robinson, overseeing the Roosters' attack before being parachuted in as Adam O'Brien's long-term replacement.
The Knights sit fifth - outside the top four by virtue of their for-and-against - having begun the season 4-2.
Their rise under Holbrook is all the more impressive considering the ex-Gold Coast and St Helens coach has been without fullback Kalyn Ponga and five-eighth Dylan Brown for the last four weeks.
Brown is expected to return for Sunday's clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
"He (Holbrook) is a really good man manager who knows how to get the best out of his players," Crichton said.
"I think what's impressed me is seeing him happy, you see a lot of head coaches will be great assistants, and they'll go across and (lose that).
"I guess it helps when you're winning and he's learned a lot from his first head coaching gig (in the NRL) to come back and getting another opportunity.
"I'm so happy for him, he's a great bloke, I've got a lot of time for Justin so it's going to be a good test for us … hopefully they won't be doing a great job on Sunday."
The Roosters (3-2) sit eighth after six rounds following a come-from-behind 34-22 win over Cronulla in Perth last week.
Crichton was dissatisfied with how his side started a game which has sparked furious debate about the NRL's interpretation of its disruptor rules.
"We're so far from our best, nowhere near where we want to be," Crichton said.
"We're super aware of that and we're not running around thinking we're world beaters.
"Some of our timing and shape is not in the right spot at the right times."
