Newcastle will contest its first preliminary final in 13 years when it faces Penrith on Sunday, with Dylan Lucas available as an impact substitute.
The 26-year-old returned from a fractured and dislocated ankle during last week's semi-final, only eight weeks after sustaining the injury in late July.
Doctors initially expected Lucas to miss 12 weeks, but surgery and an intensive rehabilitation program brought forward his comeback.
His recovery began with frequent ice treatment and massage before progressing to strength work, running and, finally, contact training.
That last hurdle involved tackling suspended prop Jacob Saifiti during a session last week.
"Initially the best-case scenario was 12 weeks," Lucas said. "I was back in eight, and I'm very grateful for the medical staff here and the physios, they put a lot of time into it.
"Generally with my injuries I have healed pretty well, and I usually do get back a little bit quicker," Lucas said.
Lucas feared the injury had ended his season, but pushed Newcastle's medical staff throughout his rehabilitation.
His injury occurred during the same difficult night that halfback Dylan Brown ruptured his ACL in a one-point defeat against the Roosters.
Despite predictions that Newcastle's premiership challenge was over, Francis Manuleleua emerged as a damaging forward while playing with a dislocated elbow suffered in Round 26.
Jermaine McEwen and Manuleleua's form has allowed Lucas to embrace the bench role.
"I'm happy to do whatever Justin [Holbrook] needs me to do at the moment," Lucas said.
"Whatever I need to do for the team as long as we're winning, that's what bothers me."