A 95-metre try on the final tackle helped keep Newcastle in contention during its 19-18 grand final loss to the Roosters on Sunday evening.
The unnamed Knights player anticipated Mark Nawaqanitawase batting the ball down, then sprinted across the field to score.
His defensive work also stood out: he hit Naufahu Whyte square, pressured Nawaqanitawase into a grounding error and dived on a loose ball.
He later made a costly fumble and may have been fortunate to avoid a sin-bin for a shot on Victor Radley.
Newcastle's skipper was inspirational, but the assessment said several other key players failed to deliver at crucial moments.
Another Knight, facing his former club-which is still paying him-made a try-saving play on Billy Smith but struggled against Daniel Tupou in the air.
He also made a major error after a hit from Spencer Leniu.