Newcastle's extended squad includes uncapped rookie Diesel Hagan, who could become the first player to debut in a grand final since Eddie Lockhart did so for Balmain against the Roosters in 1936.
The Knights face the Roosters in Sunday's decider without Phoenix Crossland, who received a four-game suspension on Tuesday night.
The ban followed a tackle that broke Nathan Cleary's leg and will also keep the New Zealand international out of the start of the Kiwis' World Cup campaign.
Crossland described the fallout as "the worst couple of days of my life".
Harrison Graham says he is ready to fill in at hooker, despite starting in the No.9 jersey only four times in his NRL career.
Since moving from the Dolphins at the end of last season, Graham has started twice for Newcastle and has often come off the interchange bench as Crossland's deputy.