That's the mentality of the Newcastle Knights after a grim, gritty 10-6 win against the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday that could yet prove to be a turning point in their season.

The result lifted Newcastle two rungs on the competition ladder to 12^th, but realistically, if you disregard the two points each team receives for the bye, the Knights are equal eighth with Cronulla and North Queensland, and only one win adrift of seventh-placed St George Illawarra.

Boosted by the return of senior players Mitchell Pearce, Hymel Hunt and David Klemmer, Newcastle also hope Kalyn Ponga will be available for their next game, against the Cowboys at home on Saturday week.

"We were a better team for having Mitchell out there, definitely, and we'll be a better team next game by having him with this group at training next week," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said.

"If we can keep this spine when we get Kalyn back, get this spine training and playing together, we're only going to get better and better and it's a big back end of the year for us."

With nine games remaining, Newcastle will probably need at least six wins to qualify for the post-season.

"That [beating the Warriors] was really important," O'Brien said. "We've spoken about the back end of the year, getting some personnel back, but getting on a roll.

"There is some congestion around the teams on the ladder, so tonight was worth four points, with the bye. We haven't had a bye yet. That's going to help."

Other than daunting away games against Melbourne and Sydney Roosters, the Knights would appear to have a favourable draw.

They are still to play wooden spooners Brisbane (home and away), as well last-placed Canterbury (away), Canberra (home), Cronulla (away) and Gold Coast (home).

With Test forward Tyson Frizell also expected to return from ankle surgery in the next few weeks - and possibly strike weapons Bradman Best (ankle) and Edrick Lee (foot) before the finals _ Newcastle are quietly confident of finishing the season with a wet sail.

"We believe in what we can do," Pearce said. "The goal today was to come and tick the first win off, which was against the Warriors.

"Now we've got the week off, which will be good for the boys' bodies. If you keep ticking enough off, you get to where you want to at the end of the year."

Pearce said the howling southerly and steady rain on Saturday meant that Newcastle had to roll up their sleeves and earn two points the hard way.

"Games like today, you can build a lot of confidence out of it," Pearce said.

"Just that steely defence ... that's probably the sort of stuff we've lacked over the last two months, so to get that resilience back and that effort - especially in the wet - that's the only style you can play in the wet, that tough and gritty style."

The former NSW Origin half said his partnership with new signing Jake Clifford would continue to improve.

"He's a really talented player," Pearce said.

"He's got a really good kick on him ... we'll only get better. It's hard conditions to kick out there, but I thought we did enough to get the result.

"I'm really looking forward to building a combo with him."