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A FIRST half hat-trick might not get you sacked, but it will get you demoted to the bench as Newcastle five-eighth Chris Bailey has found out.

Bailey has been dumped from the Knights starting side for Saturday's clash with the New Zealand Warriors after his starring three-try performance in Newcastle's 38-26 loss to Wests Tigers two weeks ago.

In the two weeks since Newcastle last played Bailey has signed a three-year deal to join Manly from 2009.
At the time of his hat-trick heroics Bailey's contractual situation was put to coach Brian Smith who insisted the 25-year-old's performance would not hurt his bartering power.

“I cannot remember the last bloke who scored three and someone wanted to sack him,” said Smith following the Tigers clash. “Not even me.”

But Bailey has now been forced onto the bench, however, most likely due to the return of skipper and hooker Danny Buderus from State of Origin duty, allowing Scott Dureau to shift back into the halves.