There was no Andrew Johns, but a Newcastle halfback still managed to steal the show at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight as the Knights showed there was still life in their National Rugby League season.

Kurt Gidley, drafted to the scrumbase when Johns' season was ended by a neck injury earlier this week, scored a solo try in the 62nd minute and had a hand in two others as the Knights scored a 36-20 win over the Warriors.

The victory lifted Newcastle into a share of fifth spot on the NRL ladder and proved there could be life after Johns.

Gidley conceded the Knights still had some work to do to dispel the suggestion they can't win without Johns, but tonight was a good start.

"It's always been said from the start that we can't win without Joey," Gidley said.

"There's nothing to say there won't be the same talk next week.

"We have to make sure we win our next three games to put that to rest.

"That one game isn't going to get us to the finals or the grand final.

The night started poorly for Newcastle and the frustration showed in the opening 40 minutes, with captain Ben Kennedy questioning two suspect calls which went against his side and led to tries.

But they were a different side in the second stanza.

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