Newcastle's 2026 revival began with difficult pre-season conversations and a planning camp in Coffs Harbour.
Bradman Best said the new coaching staff helped rebuild the Knights' purpose after 2025.
"Everyone got up there and said, 'this is where we're going as a club, this is a vision,' and then all us lads, we bought into it and trained really hard, really bought into it, really connected off the field."
The 25-year-old, a Knight since 2019, called last season "definitely one of the lowest years" of his career, saying he was "embarrassed" and "pretty much ashamed".
After Newcastle eliminated the Warriors from NRL title contention, Best faces the Penrith Panthers in Sunday's preliminary final.
Victory would bring an NRL grand-final berth and his childhood dream closer.
"That would be the dream, that's what you dream as a little kid, one day hopefully to lift that trophy," he said.
Best warned: "We know it's going to be the hardest game of rugby league we've played this year."