That'll do me - thanks for stopping by this afternoon. 

Be sure to tune in from Thursday night and for every game for the rest of the season, we'll be blogging each and every one of them!

Take it easy.

North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater turned on a masterclass to sink Newcastle 38-4 and leave Knights coach Adam O'Brien under further pressure.

The 16th-placed Knights, after their sixth loss in a row, have the worst attack in the NRL. For the 11th time this season they were kept scoreless in the first half as the hosts took a 20-0 lead into the break in Townsville on Sunday.

It is the equal worst record in the State of Origin era, since 1980, in the "zero points in the first half" statistic, along with the 2014 Wests Tigers — and they still have three rounds to go.

The Knights are just two points clear of Gold Coast and could still finish with the wooden spoon.

O'Brien is contracted until the end of 2027. The Knights have been without injured playmakers Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe, but their impotent attack has been an issue all year.

The Cowboys, now in 13th spot, look so much better when middle forward powerhouses Jason Taumalolo and Jordan McLean are on the field at the same time.

Injury has limited their liaisons this year, but they gave their side a flying start on Sunday.

Drinkwater has been his side's most creative force this year. He entered the match with the equal most try assists (20) and soon went to work to add two more to that tally.

He finished the match with 22 points courtesy of two tries and seven goals.

The 28-year-old whiz started and finished the opening try with nice ball play by Viliami Vailea.

Drinkwater showed immense commitment in defence and dislodged the ball with a desperate effort as Knights prop Jacob Saifiti was about to score under the sticks.

Cowboys rake Reece Robson spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul, but the Knights attack was clueless.

They were made to pay when Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden swooped on a Knights error when they failed to defuse a bomb, as they had for most of the half.

Winger Braidon Burns snared an intercept for an 85m try. A proud Gamilaroi man, the 29-year-old had a blinder in Indigenous round.

The Knights did not improve after the break. Drinkwater sent centre Jaxon Purdue on one of his graceful gallops to score in the 47th minute.

Knights winger Dominic Young grabbed a Jake Arthur bomb to get his side on the board, but Drinkwater grubbered to perfection for second-rower Jeremiah Nanai to score.

Drinkwater then backed up Dearden to add his second try.

Newcastle's 19-year-old debutant Connor Votano had a baptism of fire under the high ball with two early errors, but his teammates did not give him the support required.

Votano could have scored two tries, but was unable to latch on to passes that went above his head.

AAP

North Queensland played some nice footy along the way to a win that gets them out of the wooden spoon race. Another tough afternoon for Newcastle, who seem like a team very keen for the season to end. 

Taumalolo beats one defender, carries two more a good way and offloads to Dearden who goes back inside to Dearden who's away, he has Drinkwater in support and the star fullback races away for his second. 

That's two tries and two assists for Drinkwater and once he converts he's got 22 points on his own. The Cowboys now lead 38-4.

Drinkwater pokes a kick through for himself, he gets stopped but Nanai is there first and scores another one for the Cowboys. 

Drinkwater takes two more and it's 32-4 North Queensland. 

Young flashes away down the right, he has Votano on the inside but the rookie drops the ball. Second time today he's had a chance at a try on debut, gotta feel for him. 

Drinkwater picks it up and takes off the other way, he weaves through three defenders and looks tryline bound himself only for Frizell to pull of a sensational chase and cover tackle!

The Cowboys can't capitalise as Cotter's pass goes to ground and is claimed by Gagai. 

A bit of joy for Newcastle at last - Arthur goes high across field, Young goes high to claim it over Burns and that'll be a try to the Knights. 

The debutant Votano will take the shot at goal but he sprays it wide. Cowboys 26-4.

Drinkwater puts Purdue through and he glides past Votano to score the first of the second half. There was some conjecture about an obstruction in the lead up and the Knights do have a case but Arthur didn't try to move off Nanai. 

Feels like that could have been a penalty a few weeks ago but they allow it this time. Drinkwater converts and it's 26-0 Cowboys. 

Newcastle kick us off and we're halfway home. 

How's this for a number - Newcastle, having been held scoreless in the first half, have now equalled the record set by the 2014 Tigers for most times being held to nil at halftime (since 1980).

That....seems less than ideal.