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Newcastle hooker Andrew McCullough feels sympathy for Brisbane after their last round thrashing but is focused on helping the Knights remain unbeaten.

While his move from Brisbane to Newcastle appears genius on the back of round four NRL results, veteran hooker Andrew McCullough isn't one to gloat.

After more than a decade and 260 matches at the Broncos, McCullough made a shock switch to the Knights last month and in his first game played a key role in their 34-18 upset victory over premiership favourites Canberra.

McCullough showed Brisbane what they'd lost, making an incredible 61 tackles.

The Broncos meanwhile, suffered a record-breaking 59-0 loss to the Sydney Roosters last round.

The 30-year-old said the difference in results was "irrelevant" but at least had some sympathy for his former club.

"I'd be a gutless sort of bloke if I didn't feel a bit of sympathy there because they've got some good people there and some young players who haven't faced that sort of adversity before," McCullough said on Thursday.

"It's a reality check about the ups and downs of football - she's not all scoring tries and getting in the papers - there's a bad side of footy which they've soon realised.

"That's my previous club and I'm not in that space or bubble now.

"I'm just enjoying the moment here now with these boys."

McCullough said he was looking forward to another stern test for the Knights, who host Melbourne at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday afternoon, when he will do battle with Storm hooker Cameron Smith.

As well as that showdown, the match is the first meeting between new Knights coach Adam O'Brien and his mentor, Storm coach Craig Bellamy.

O'Brien spent 11 years with Melbourne before a season as assistant coach with the premiership-winning Roosters last year, where he was picked up by Newcastle.