The Raiders, who lost Tapine and Ryan Sutton during proceedings, weren’t able to hang on. They were able to contain Kalyn Ponga for much of the contest, but the Knights fullback made several big plays when it mattered.

Canberra had 63 per cent of possession in the first half and should have led by more. It wasn’t until the 32nd minute that they crossed the line. Tapine went over after being put through a gap by fellow Kiwi international Jordan Rapana and then Williams made their second try possible just before the break. Even then, it should have been enough.

Stuart said there was no point spraying a side trying hard to turn around its fortunes.

“I wasn’t fired up,” he said of his post-game address. “I don’t get fired up over a bunch of blokes doing everything they possibly can to play their best and win a game of football.”

The Knights missed countless tackles and opportunities in the opening half. For the first time since round 11 of last year, they didn’t trouble the scorers in the opening stanza.

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They commenced the second with more intent. It began when they regained possession from a cheeky short kick-off, giving them the field position required for Connor Watson to set up Phoenix Crossland for their opener. It was one of four second-half tries, skipper Jayden Brayley sealing the result with his.

In the Raiders’ pomp, Josh Papalii would be preparing to take on David Klemmer in a State of Origins series. The way they have been playing recently, they are fortunate to remain in first grade.

Having been put on notice, they both responded. Klemmers’ contribution was enormous, finishing with 185 metres from 20 hit-ups. Papali’i, meanwhile, finished with 117 metres and at one point had the audacity to put through a grubber kick after making a break.

O’Brien said his team was stung into action after a series of poor performances.

“It hurts, definitely,” O’Brien said.

“The one thing I will say about them, they do care.

“They are human beings, they are men. And when you get multiple people with no shortage of opinions on the sort of character we had [it hurts].

“We can sit here and whinge about it but we brought that [upon ourselves] with some performances.

“This is only one game. It’s not going to go away.”

With so many dramas in the nation’s capital, it has been easy to overlook those being experienced in the Hunter.

Like Canberra, Newcastle is struggling to keep up with the competition pacesetters. But after producing their biggest comeback win since 2014 without halves Mitchell Pearce and Blake Green, the pressure has been relieved, at least temporarily, on O’Brien and his men.

The same can’t be said for Stuart’s side.