Newcastle's grand-final week has drawn a huge response, with 22,000 people expected at a McDonald Jones Stadium watch party after bookings filled within minutes.
Another 14,000 attended a fan event there on Wednesday, while Knights supporters dominated Thursday's fan festival and press conference at Martin Place.
Among the players at Thursday's event was Phoenix Crossland, who received a four-game suspension for his hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary.
Crossland, who had apologised, watched from beside the stage and cheered his teammates as they were introduced.
Newcastle had named him in the No.9 jersey for Sunday's final, despite lodging a guilty plea before the team was announced.
"That was his jersey all year," coach Justin Holbrook said.
"We love the job he's done, he's a big part of the team. I felt like I didn't want to replace that jersey for the last game of the year."
Holbrook indicated Harrison Graham would start at hooker instead, while the club said it wanted Crossland involved in the week's major moments.
The NRL has traditionally barred suspended players from the podium for premiership rings and official victory celebrations, though it has allowed them to join a lap of honour and the team afterward.
Diesel Hagan could come off the six-man bench and become the first grand-final debutant in 90 years if he takes the field.
Newcastle reached seventh this season after collecting the wooden spoon last year, despite missing $3 million worth of talent.
"We don't want to shy away from it. It's awesome," Holbrook said of the support.