Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien believes his side are better prepared for a tight elimination final than highly-fancied opponents North Queensland.
The Knights clinched eighth spot on the ladder with a gritty 14-6 defeat of the Dolphins last Sunday, the last game in a solid six-week run that helped them grab the last remaining finals spot.
Newcastle found themselves in tight losses to top-four sides Cronulla and Penrith during that period, having also navigated close starts against South Sydney, Wests Tigers and Gold Coast before kicking away.
The Cowboys have been mainstays of the top eight since the State of Origin period and are favourites with the bookmakers ahead of Saturday night's home game.
But recent history has left O'Brien feeling the Knights may have a trump card over the Cowboys, whose past four games have been decided by an average margin of 27 points.
"I just feel like we're ready for a tight battle, and I'd say we're more ready than what the opposition are," O'Brien said.
"They've had some really big blowout scorelines and they haven't had a real tight contest in a while. I think that puts us in good stead."
Across the past six weeks the Knights conceded an average of 16 points, more than a converted try less than the 23 they had typically leaked over the preceding 20 games.
Newcastle have also conceded the fewest points of any finals team across their past four games, their 55 points against considerably better than reigning premiers Penrith, the next best side on 70.
O'Brien credited new halfback Phoenix Crossland for helping inspire the side's new defensive resolve since shifting from hooker six weeks ago.
"He's been a big part of why we've leaked the least amount of tries in the last month or so," O'Brien said.
The coach feels his side is approaching finals differently from last season, when fullback Kalyn Ponga hit Dally M Medal-winning form to inspire a 10-game winning streak.
"I think we're a lot more battle-hardened this year," O'Brien said
"Last year certainly winning 10 games, we were a little bit busted towards the end, we lost some key guys in Fitz (Lachlan Fitzgibbon) and Jacko (Jackson Hastings), Kalyn with his shoulder.
"We're in a much different spot, health wise."
Second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul is a chance to return from a gruesome leg injury to face the Cowboys, but prop Jacob Saifiti likely needs a week more to recover from his calf issue.
