A low-scoring first half saw both sides get over for an unconverted try, with Danny Levi darting through from dummy-half for Newcastle before a Darius Boyd cut-out pass gifted Jordan Kahu an easy one in the corner.
On their first set of the second half Brisbane hit the lead after Kahu scored on an almost identical play to that of his first-half try, with Boyd again laying on the assist.
The match started to open up around the 12-minute mark, and Peter Mata'utia was in the perfect spot to get a touch on the ball after the Broncos lost possession on the try-line.
But a third from Kahu and a bonus try to Auckland local Matiu Love-Henry ended any hope of a Newcastle comeback, with Brisbane comfortable 21-8 winners in the end.
Broncos 21 (Jordan Kahu 3, Matiu Love-Henry tries) def. Knights 8 (Danny Levi, Peter Mata'utia tries). Half-time: 4-4.
