NRL: Knights thrash Raiders

Alex McKinnon of the Knights is tackled during the round 21 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights. Photo / Getty Images.

Newcastle have proved themselves NRL finals contenders and have virtually ended Canberra's top-eight hopes in the process with a powerful 36-6 victory over the Raiders at Canberra Stadium.

The Knights continued their late charge to the finals, stretching their winning streak to five victories from their past six encounters with today's comfortable six-tries to one triumph.

The Knights move to 22 competition points with Gold Coast, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers, with the Titans in eighth spot on for and against.

Newcastle spent much of the game on the attack and it was only good defence by Canberra early in the first half that stopped the scoreline blowing out further.

Knights fullback Darius Boyd finally posted his first try for Newcastle, crossing in the corner in the 45th minute off a pass from winger Akuila Uate.

Uate boosted the scoreline to 28-0 in the 61st minute but was unlucky not to add another try to his tally in the third minute when Raiders centre Jarrod Croker held him up.

It only took another couple of minutes before Newcastle opened the scoring courtesy of winger Kevin Naiqama in the left-hand corner, with halfback Tyrone Roberts converting to give the Knights a 6-0 lead.

Canberra fullback Josh Dugan saved a certain Newcastle try in the 27th minute when he intercepted a pass from Knights forward Chris Houston, denying Boyd a clear route to the tryline.

Dugan copped a heavy head knock for his efforts.

Again Newcastle were denied an almost certain try in the 33rd minute when Canberra winger Sandor Earl opted for a professional foul when well offside to stop the Knights crossing.

Earl paid the price by being sin-binned for 10 minutes.

That was all the Knights needed to finally add to the scoreline when Roberts ran 60 metres to cross for the visitors' second try of the day.

His conversion gave Newcastle a healthy 12-0 halftime lead.

The second half opened in a similar fashion with Naiqama adding his second try of the day in the 41st minute.

Boyd's converted try moved Newcastle to a 22-0 lead and Roberts added to Uate's four-pointer for a 30-0 lead.

Canberra finally scored a consolation try in the 64th minute when centre Blake Ferguson crossed.

But still Newcastle attacked, with Robbie Rochow scoring in the 73rd minute.

Canberra's Joe Picker was placed on report in the 55th minute for a dangerous throw on Knights five-eighth Jarrod Mullen.

Raiders forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs was forced off the field in the second half with a hamstring injury.

-AAP