The second thing he did was jog straight back into the dressing sheds to get his dislocated finger cracked back into place.

The former Central junior, who has played 66 NRL matches for the Knights since he last played for the Butcher Boys nine years ago, started his comeback from a knee injury in their 44-24 win over Lakes.

"I just went in for the tackle and out she came," laughed Tolar, who was playing for the first time since injuring his knee in the Knights' loss to the Titans in round one on March 15.

"I put my hand up to the boys and they thought I was giving them the bird.

"What a great start. I was out there for a minute and then straight back off."

Easily recognisable with his flame red hair and new white boots, Tolar started on the bench and entered the fray after Central opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a try to Nathan Curry.

He was soon back on the bench and returned when Central got away to a 12-0 lead after hooker Shane Ryan scored the first of his two tries.

Tolar was asked by Knights coach Brian Smith to play between 20 and 30 minutes in his comeback, but he extended that to almost 40 after a relatively quiet first half which Central dominated to lead 32-0.

Fellow Knights forward Cory Paterson inspired a Lakes revival in the second half when he combined well on the left edge with Knights outside back Luke MacDougall.

Paterson scored twice and MacDougall once as Lakes won the second half 24-12.

Tolar was under the watchful eye of Knights assistant coach Trent Robinson in his first match since having surgery to repair a cracked knee cap.

"It wasn't too bad," Tolar said. "It was just good to get a run under my belt and get a bit of confidence in my knee.

"I was just happy to get through the game injury-free.