Fletcher Hunt, backed by the whole of his hometown, has played a steady debut game but his Newcastle Knights were trounced 28-6 at James McDonald Stadium Friday night by Parramatta.

‘’Fletcher welcome to the NRL," commentator Andrew Voss said as Warren’s popular star leaped for the football taking a big catch from a powerful kick in the air from Parramatta half-back Mitchell Moses early in the match.

‘’Wow - the Warren rookie has arrived in the NRL,’’ the commentators said.

A sideline run and some tackles earmarked his debut but Parramatta had the early running, scoring twice in 14 minutes, Moses jumping high to score and Lomax extending the margin.

The Eels dominating, Newcastle unable to get field position and couldn’t break through trailing 10 nil at half time.

The Warren 20 year old was peppered by high kicks as the visitors were outclassing the opposition.

Fletcher Hunt. IMAGE: Newcastle Knights

The second half began with Parramatta holding their control.

Warren’s rookie tried hard but when Eels winger Zac Lomax scored after the break with intent the visitors were on a roll.

Brown delivered not long after making it 5 straight tries but Newcastle did make home fans happy when on the opposite side of the field winger James Schiller raced over.

In the end it was 28-6.

Fletcher Hunt heads to Bathurst next week when four time champions Penrith will face the Knights and with the country rookie fans from the west might make for a record crowd.

Newcastle Coach Adam O’Brien said the Knights were lack lustre and a bit disappointing but praised Fletcher Hunt’s debut.

"Very proud of him, he was thrown in the deep end but played well and he did good things out there and tried everything he could, he is a good country kid.’’