Newcastle have reached their first NRL preliminary final in 13 years, a season after collecting the wooden spoon.
The Knights meet premiership favourites Penrith on Sunday, with a place in next weekend's grand final at stake.
Forward Mat Croker, 27, said the team felt the excitement in the Hunter after last weekend's upset win over the New Zealand Warriors at Eden Park.
"Everyone's feeling the buzz," Croker told SEN radio.
He said representing Newcastle carried a particular obligation to the community.
"That's the special thing about playing for Newcastle, you have a weird responsibility," Croker said.
"The way we play on the weekend can really influence how a lot of people's weeks go… and at the moment a lot of people are flying," he continued.
"It's a really special responsibility and something we don't take lightly."
Croker praised first-year coach Justin Holbrook and defence coach Brett White, saying the Knights had used outside doubt as motivation.
"We've been carrying that chip on the shoulder the whole way through, not many people have given us a shot all year," Croker admitted.
He said Newcastle had beaten a strong Warriors pack despite missing players, and had conceded only two tries in each of their last two finals.
After playing before a small Knights crowd in Auckland, Croker expects tens of thousands of supporters to travel to Homebush.
"Everyone was frothing to get back to 'Newy' (after the Warriors win)… that's where the heart and soul of the club was, back here waiting for us," he said.
"They're all going to be travelling down to Sydney this week… it's going to be so good."
The Knights face Penrith at Accor Stadium on Sunday at 4pm; the winner will meet the Roosters in next weekend's grand final.