Kalyn Ponga sees Newcastle's ability to keep winning without making excuses as a key reason for their run to the preliminary final.
The Knights meet Penrith on Sunday, with more than 50,000 fans expected at Accor Stadium. Victory would take them to a grand final without first-choice halfback, a feat last achieved by North Queensland in 2017.
Newcastle would also become the first team since the Sydney Roosters in 2010 to reach the decider a year after finishing last.
Their halfback, Sandon Smith, has stepped up since Dylan Brown ruptured his ACL in round 21. The Knights have averaged 23 points per game since Brown's injury.
"But here, I think (coach) Justin (Holbrook) has done a good job at not finding excuses to lose, just keep finding excuses to win," Ponga said.
Newcastle are also without starting props Jacob Saifiti and Trey Mooney. Only four Knights have preliminary-final experience, and Tyson Frizell is playing his first in his 16th NRL season.
"Everyone has written us off all year," second-rower Dylan Lucas said. "A fair few people had us tipped to get the spoon. It's nice to see them eat their words now."