Newcastle's points average has risen from 14.1 in 2025 to 25.4 in 2026 under coach Justin Holbrook.
The Knights finished last season with the wooden spoon, then hired Holbrook to reshape their attack.
His attacking approach helped take the team to the 2026 NRL Grand Final, where it will face the Sydney Roosters.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson knows Holbrook well: he worked under Robinson as attack coach for two seasons after leaving the Gold Coast Titans.
Holbrook had also spent three seasons in Roosters colours between 2015 and 2017.
Robinson, a three-time title-winning coach, has praised his former assistant ahead of Sunday's decider.
The match begins at 7:30pm, with a record set to fall whichever team wins.
A Knights victory would make them the first team outside the top four to win the competition in the NRL era.
If the Roosters prevail, they would become the first NRL side to win the title after conceding 50 points during the regular season.