Newcastle lifted their regular-season scoring average by 12 points per game in 2026, after finishing as the NRL's least effective attacking side last year.
The Knights scored 35 tries from long-range this season, compared with five from their own half last year.
Centre Bradman Best said Holbrook's approach had changed their attack: "It's just backing ourselves and taking opportunities when we see them. We're not forcing anything."
Holbrook joined Newcastle last November with a focus on enjoyment and effort, telling AAP: "That's the environment I want to create."
Former Knights coach Michael Hagan sees parallels with his 2001 premiership team, which won in his first season after Warren Ryan's tenure.
Timana Tahu said: "It just feels like a Michael Hagan moment," describing how the team relaxed under Hagan.
Hagan also compared young forwards Cody Hopwood and Lachlan Crouch with Josh Perry and Daniel Abraham, and Newcastle's wingers with Tahu and Adam MacDougall.
He praised Holbrook's steady approach and said the coach had learned from being dismissed by the Gold Coast, after winning a Super League title with St Helens.
Newcastle have added injured Dylan Brown and back-up half Sandon Smith, but are otherwise largely the same side that finished last season with the wooden spoon.
They enter Sunday night's grand final against the Sydney Roosters as underdogs, having overcome a send-off and about $3 million in injured talent during the finals.
Captain Kalyn Ponga said Holbrook's consistent manner had influenced the team throughout the year.
Newcastle need their attacking shifts to work only a few times, with their defence strong through the finals, to end a 25-year premiership drought.