The nib Newcastle Knights were out-played by a strong Parramatta Eels side 40-4 on Sunday afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The eight tries to one scoreline on the Club's Old Boys Day handed the team their eighth loss of the season.
Plenty of injuries, suspensions and a poor error count hindered the Knights against one of the top four outfits.
Coach Adam O'Brien reflected on the performance and addressed the amount of crucial absentees from the line-up.
"It does sound like an excuse but if you lose seven or eight key personnel, most sides will struggle," O'Brien said.
"We can't dish that up either, regardless of who is out there we expect that to be better.
"There's no point listening to the pats on the back, if you're not prepared to listen to the kicks in the bum.
"We left ourselves open to that."
A completion rate of 66% was detrimental to the Knights as the Eels returned to form.
The away side also notched 19 offloads to the Knights four while the Eels made nine line-breaks to the home side's three.
"We didn't make life very easy four ourselves early on," O'Brien continued.
"It was like quicksand for us.
"They're a good outfit and we've seen this year if you're down on personnel and you don't hang onto the footy, plenty of sides have been beat by 40."
Highlights: Impressive Eels steamroll Knights
In positive news, the Knights can expect key players to return to the park in the coming weeks.
O'Brien provided an update on a number of players expected back in the coming weeks.
"I think there will be a fair contingent jump back in, perhaps not next week but the week after," O'Brien said.
"Mitchell (Pearce) is fairly close, this week might be a bit short but is looking pretty good for the Warriors (game).
"Hymel will be the same and for the Warriors game we will have (David) Klemmer back from suspension.
"Kalyn (Ponga) is progressing really well so there is some big ins to come back."
