Knights captain Kurt Gidley admitted Newcastle's 21-10 win over the Sharks was not the prettiest match but he has warned his side has plenty more to offer this season.
Gidley, backing up after a heroic performance for New South Wales in Wednesday night's State of Origin match, turned in another starring performance to lead Newcastle to its third win in a row with a comfortable if unspectacular victory over Cronulla.
"It wasn't our prettiest win. Ball control was still an issue today, but a win is a win," Gidley said.
"I would like to see us hold the ball and see what we can produce then. The ball is always a bit slippery when there has been a bit of rain about but the responsibility is with the player carrying the ball and it is something we definitely need to work on."
Gidley started the match at fullback but got himself very involved in the game occasionally taking the point of attack in the halves as well as darting into the dummy-half role at certain times.
He also made his presence felt in defence, pulling off a couple of try-saving tackles in the match, as well as kicking three goals from four attempts to help the Knights move to within one win of the top eight.
He said he felt sore after two tough matches in the space of five days, and was sporting a black eye from Sunday's encounter, but said the home support helped get him through the match.
"I haven't been poked in the eye in about five years and I copped two in the same eye today so it feels good and I guess it looks pretty good, too," Gidley joked.
"I pulled up after Wednesday pretty good body-wise. It is always a tough period of the year mentally as well but it is nice to be able to come home and get into a bit more of a routine I suppose and it is certainly refreshing at the end of a game with the fans and their support and how vocal they are."
Knights coach Rick Stone praised the performance of Gidley as well as the contribution of five-eighth Ben Rogers, who scored a try and defended strongly on the edge of the ruck.
Stone also acknowledged the debut effort of forward Antonio Kaufusi, who was playing in his first match for the Knights after joining the club just two weeks ago from North Queensland.
"The last couple of weeks he (Gidley) has been great for us and he was no different today," Stone said.
"He came up with a couple of big plays defensively when we needed him. He has a couple of days off after a massive eight or twelve weeks. He has done himself and the club proud in that period."
"Kaufusi was alright," continued Stone. "He hasn't played for a couple of weeks, so course he is only going to get better but I like the way he carries the footy, he gives us plenty of punch and he has got a real good catch, and defensively he is pretty good as well. He got a bit tired at the end of his last stint but overall there is plenty to work with there."
Stone agreed with Gidley saying it wasn't the Knights best win of the season, but getting a result, being resolute in