Wade Still, 23, managed to name his killer and the fact he "poured petrol on me" after he was first set alight at Whitebridge, near Newcastle in 2018.

Troy McCosker, 51, has pleaded not guilty to murder and the alternative charge of laying an explosive substance, being petrol, in front of Mr Still with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Having set fire to Mr Still in a disused quarry after an argument, the killer, who cannot be named, contacted McCosker to help him get more petrol for his motorbike, the Crown alleged during the two-week trial in the NSW Supreme Court.

McCosker was allegedly informed what had gone on and was asked whether they should call an ambulance or return to "finish off" Mr Still.

The pair then bought more petrol and returned to the area where Mr Still was lying badly injured.

McCosker allegedly waited in the driver's seat as Mr Still was set alight for the second time.

After an elderly couple driving home saw a barely clothed and badly burned Mr Still running from the bushes yelling and waving his arms they contacted police before a taxi driver found him huddled on the ground.

Mr Still was airlifted by helicopter to a Sydney hospital but died on the way from first degree burns to 90 per cent of his body.

The last time his girlfriend saw him was on the back of his killer's motorbike holding onto a large fuel container.

Crown prosecutor Chris Maxwell QC told the jury McCosker was in a joint criminal enterprise to murder Mr Still, who had previously allegedly robbed McCosker multiple times of drugs and possessions.

McCosker claims he was sitting in his car "completely oblivious" to what was happening after the killer had been gone for about five minutes.

Australian Associated Press