Ponga magic lifts Knights to 30

The Newcastle Knights have soared into the top eight for the first time since round six after overcoming Jamayne Isaako's first-half hat-trick to post a 30-28 win over the Dolphins in Perth.

Isaako scored tries in the 23rd, 26th, and 31st minutes as the Dolphins shot out to a 14-6 lead in Saturday's NRL clash at Optus Stadium.

The Dolphins still led 20-12 early in the second half, but Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga starred from that point on to give his side a 30-22 lead with eight minutes remaining.

There was late drama in the match after Dolphins second rower Connelly Lemuelu crossed in the 73rd minute to reduce the margin to two points.

With just over three minutes remaining, the Dolphins had a scrum just metres from the Knights' line but Herman Ese'ese gave away a silly penalty after holding onto an opponent's jersey once the ball had left the area.

It proved to be the Dolphins' last genuine crack at victory.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett cut a dejected figure after the match and was reluctant to give an in-depth opinion on the penalty call.

"You could say that the referee referees to the laws of the game," Bennett said.

"You need to ask the referee (about the decision). I didn't call the penalty."

When asked what areas let his team down on the day, Bennett became testy.

"You didn't watch the game? Well, you can write about it," he said.

When asked again for his opinion, Bennett gruffly replied: "I don't want to share it with you."

When pressed on why not, Bennett said: "Because it's just my opinion, and I'm not really interested in sharing it."

Knights coach Adam O'Brien felt the penalty call was correct.

"I could see it, he clearly grabbed hold of him," O'Brien said.

The Knights' five-game winning streak has seen them rocket from 14th into the top eight, with their finals destiny now well and truly in their hands.

In contrast, the Dolphins (8-12) have lost seven of their past eight games to crash out of contention.

Ponga scored the first try of the match, but Lachlan Fitzgibbon's sin-binning in the 23rd minute for an illegal tackle turned the first half on its head.

Isaako went on to score three tries in the space of eight electric minutes as the Dolphins shot out to a 14-6 lead.

The New Zealand-born winger scored his first when he latched onto a double cut-out pass and touched down in the corner.

Kodi Nikorima's fast break set up the second try, with Isaako fending off an opponent before racing to the line.

And Isaako saved his best for last, soaring high into the air to catch halfback Sean O'Sullivan's kick before touching the ball down as he crashed over the dead ball line.

Remarkably, it was the second time this season Isaako had scored a first-half hat-trick, with the other coming in round six in a 32-22 win over the Cowboys.

The margin was still eight points early in the second half before the Knights unleashed a Ponga-inspired blitz.

Ponga fended off two opponents to set up Phoenix Crossland in the 58th minute, before another fast break from the star fullback resulted in a try to Greg Marzhew in the 69th minute.

The Dolphins kept fighting right until the end, but they just fell short of the required victory to keep their finals hopes alive.