Newcastle has wrapped up the last finals berth after walloping an inept Penrith 35-0 in Sunday's winner-takes-all clash at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The Knights will play either the Gold Coast or Bulldogs in the first week of the finals after cruising past a Panthers side which failed to aim up despite the enormity of the occasion.
But the victory may come at a high price, with hooker Isaac De Gois carried off in the second half with what appeared a season-ending knee injury.
With the victor headed for the finals and the loser planning for Mad Monday, the Knights settled the nerves of the big crowd (22,152) with a try after just five minutes.
The ball went wide to Adam MacDougall who evaded Michael Jennings with a nice in and away to open up a passage for Shannon McDonnell to scorch the touchline.
The ball went back infield for Kurt Gidley to score under the posts at the end of a wonderful 50m movement.
Gidley's conversion from in front made it 6-0.
Eight minutes later Chris Houston delivered a beautiful pass for Jarrod Mullen to cross for Newcastle's second try.
Scott Dureau's field goal on the stroke of half-time saw the hosts go to the break 13-0 ahead.
Gidley's second try – a 70m effort just three minutes into the second half - killed off any hope of a Penrith revival.
MacDougall added to the Panthers' misery with a terrific solo try 54 minutes in.
The veteran centre powered towards the line from 30m out and was felled but not held just short.
He regained his feet and plunged over for the Knights' fourth try and a 23-0 lead
Hooker Matt Hilder got in on the act 14 minutes from the end, going from dummy half and tearing through some threadbare defence to score.
Cooper Vuna completed the rout, crossing in the corner in the dying seconds.
Newcastle 35
Tries: Gidley 2, Mullen, MacDougall, Hilder, Vuna
Goals: Gidley 5
Field Goals: Dureau
Penrith 0