The Johns family returned to Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday but time spent out in the middle for the Knights against the Goannas was less than anticipated.
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Jack, son and nephew of Knights' legends Matthew and Andrew respectively, didn't come back on the field after undergoing a HIA just 15 minutes into the pre-season trial.
He had started at lock, having signed a development deal with the club after debuting with South Sydney in 2020.
The Knights, who had just a few players with NRL experience including Johns, defeated last year's Newcastle Rugby League premiers 20-4.
New recruit Dom Young scored the opening try and set up the second for Jacob Kiraz to put the Knights ahead 8-0 after 33 minutes.
Scott Haynes replied for the Goannas to reduce the margin to four at the main break.
Knights halfback Kobe Davis made it 12-4 in the 52nd minute before Dylan Lucas and Liam Wilkinson both crossed during the last quarter.
In the earlier games, it was mixed results for the Knights against the Panthers with a 30-24 win in SG Ball and 40-6 loss in Harold Matthews.
Next up the Knights top squad travel to Albury to meet reigning champions Melbourne this weekend.
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
