Fifteen Newcastle players will make their first preliminary-final appearance when the Knights meet Penrith at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
Tyson Frizell is the only member of the 300-game club yet to play in a grand-final qualifier.
The 16-season veteran, who debuted with Cronulla in 2011, has reached the finals six times, exiting in the first two weeks on each previous occasion.
"I have worked my backside off for 16 years, and I finally get the opportunity to do it now," Frizell told AAP.
Newcastle has never reached this stage without Andrew Johns or Danny Buderus, and 2013 was its only preliminary final since the 2001 title.
Dane Gagai is the only player left from the 2013 side.
He said the team was focused on reaching the grand final rather than accepting a loss as an achievement.
"But what I'm super pumped about is no one's thinking that way.
We're all thinking we want to win, we want to play in a grand final."
Gagai, in his 16th season, has played one grand final, losing with Souths Sydney in 2021.
He sees promise in Newcastle's young talent and in the connection between players, staff and club leaders CEO Peter Parr and football boss Chris James.
"Everyone's wearing the logo. We're all one. I think that's what's being created."