Without injured playmakers Mitchell Pearce, Blake Green and Kalyn Ponga, the Knights produced their most disorganised display of the season in the opening match of the NRL's annual Magic Round.

The score at half-time was 24-4 to the Tigers, leaving Newcastle facing the prospect of an embarrassing blowout.

It was one-way traffic from the moment a couple of offloads in the fifth minute sent Tigers half Luke Brooks sprinting away for a long-range try.

Further tries from skipper James Tamou and winger David Nofoaluma left the Knights facing an 18-0 deficit after only 15 minutes.

A try in the corner by Hymel Hunt gave the Knights a glimmer of hope, but then the Tigers responded with a try and a penalty goal from centre Adam Doueihi.

Adding to Newcastle's woes, Hunt was forced off with a recurring hamstring injury and Jacob Saifiti and Suaso Sue suffered head knocks.

In addition, stand-in fullback Tex Hoy copped 10 in the sin-bin for a professional foul.

A try from bench forward Brodie Jones early in the second half suggested Newcastle were intent on producing another great escape, as they did in last week's 24-16 win against Canberra.

But further tries from winger Tommy Talau and Doueihi gave the Tigers an unassailable 36-8 lead.

Late consolation tries from Jayden Brailey and Tyson Frizell improved the scoreline for Newcastle.

It was the first time the Tigers had scored more than 30 points in a game in almost a year.

The Tigers upset Newcastle 24-20 at McDonald Jones Stadium in round three.

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