The Melbourne win meant the top four all won in the first week of the finals for the first time since the McIntyre system was introduced in 1999.
The Knights joined North Queensland in having their season ended, while head coach Rick Stone was in charge for the last time before he becomes an assistant to the incoming Bennett.
Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk had a big hand in two of his side's three tries, and saved a late try when his boot dislodged the ball, as the Storm raced to an 18-0 lead before the Knights rallied in the second half.
Matt Duffie, Beau Champion and Sika Manu scored tries for Melbourne, with Cameron Smith booting three from four in front of a crowd of 14,845 that paled into insignificance next door to a sold out MCG.
For the Knights, Kurt Gidley and Akuila Uate bagged four-pointers, while Gidley couldn't land a goal.
The Storm led 16-0 at halftime and increased their lead by two with a 51st minute penalty goal from Smith.
Newcastle produced two tries out of the box in three minutes through Gidley (64th minute) and Uate (67th) to make it 18-8, while winger James McManus got close in the 79th before Cronk's boot denied him.
Storm utility Rory Kostjasyn was ruled out after injury a hamstring in the warm-up, but five-eighth Gareth Widdop returned earlier than expected from an ankle injury while the Knights welcomed back forward Zeb Taia from five months on the sidelines with a neck problem.
It looked ominous from the start for Newcastle when they gifted the Storm their first try, backrower Neville Costigan dropping the ball cold in the 14th minute for Duffie to swoop and run 50m.
It was 10-0 in the 28th minute when Champion completed a clever set move before a penalty for a spray from Adam MacDougall at referee Ashley Klein seven minutes later put the Storm in good position again.
A brilliant cross-field bomb from Cronk resulted in Manu picking up the scraps and diving over for a 36th minute try and it was 16-0.
- AAP
