NEWCASTLE’S prized recruit Mitchell Pearce has made an instant impression in his trial debut for the club against Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon.

In a closed door run at AAMI Park, the Knights snuck home 26-22 in warm conditions.

Pearce laid on the Knights’ first try, a short ball to barnstorming backrower Lachlan Fitzgibbon.

Fox Sports was granted permission to watch the first half of the game set inside AAMI Park before just a handful of players and staff and Pearce was a shining light.

Round 19

With the NSW Origin playmaker running the show in the first half, Pearce produced two tries for his new team.

His second assist was by far the most impressive.

With an entire new-look spine consisting of Kalyn Ponga, Connor Watson, Slade Griffin and Pearce, the crafty half linked with his fullback for their second try.

Having earlier shown his finesse with the ball in hand, Pearce used the boot to put Ponga over.

The likes of Aidan Guerra, Herman Ese’ese, Chris Heighington and Jacob Lillyman also lined-up in the new-look Knights outfit in the trial which was closed off to the public.

The Storm decided to rest the likes of Josh Addo-Carr, Brodie Croft, Curtis Scott, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Will Chambers.

Cameron Munster started the match amid reports Melbourne were considering releasing the talented playmaker.

It was first real chance for the Knights and Storm to test out some of their new combinations ahead of the 2018 NRL season.

KNIGHTS 26 (Fitzgibbon, Ponga, Sio, Buhrer, Cronan tries; Ponga 2, Lamb goals) bt STORM 22 (Finucane, Glasby, K.Bromwich, Olam tries; Stimson 2, Munster goals) at AAMI Park

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