The high-flying Penrith Panthers have shown plenty of premiership qualities in recent weeks and on Friday night they displayed another one - persistence.

The Panthers bounced back from last weekend's loss to Melbourne with an emphatic 34-6 victory over Newcastle at Penrith Stadium, scoring five second half tries to put the sword to the undermanned Knights.

The home side only led 8-0 at halftime, but turned on the afterburners in the second half with hooker Luke Priddis and winger Luke Rooney finishing with doubles.

"I think in the end we just wore them down with persistence rather than so much piercing their defence," Lang said.

"We were patient and we were persistent and that's the way we had to be."

The scoreline could have been much uglier but for some desperate defence from the Knights which saved another four tries.

Centre Paul Whatuira and Priddis were held up over the line while lock Shane Elford dropped the ball attempting to score in the 69th minute and Peter Lewis lost it with the line beckoning in the last minute.

In the end it didn't matter as Priddis tormented the Knights out of dummy half, halves Preston Campbell and Craig Gower had a second half field day and back rowers Joe Gulavao and Tony Puletua created havoc.

The result was an emphatic win and a share of second place with Canberra - who are yet to play this weekend - two points behind Brisbane, which has the bye.

"I don't know if we'll be equal second at the end of the weekend," Lang said.

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