Their performance against Penrith was inspirational, as they played more than 40 minutes with 12 men after Kiwis hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent off. While they got over the line that day, the fatigue of playing a man down appeared to catch up with them.
Along with Crossland, they were also without Kiwis five-eighth Dylan Brown, who has been sidelined with an ACL injury, while starting props Trey Mooney and Jacob Saifiti were also suspended.
It was clear that the majority of the 80,814 fans were cheering on the Knights, which was on full display when a moment of respect paid to the fans who were injured waiting to cheer on the team leaving Newcastle.
The opening exchanges were a true definition of a tense finals clash, but with each passing minute the Roosters began turning the screw to take control of the match.
But a big turning point came in the 15th minute when the Knights were awarded a questionable penalty for a dangerous tackle.
In the ensuing set, the Knights struck first when Auckland-born Francis Manuleleu ran a perfect line, bursting through a gap to score the opening try of the final.
Francis Manuleleua celebrates his try in the NRL grand final. Photo / Brad Roberts
Tensions heated up when Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga was lucky to stay on the field after he was penalised for a shoulder charge on Victor Radley.
Moments later, the Roosters thought they had struck back when Sam Walker’s pinpoint chip found Mark Nawaqanitawase, however replays showed he had dropped the ball attempting to score.
Ponga then came up with another game-changing play, making a try-saving tackle on the left edge before running across to the right to pounce on a Nawaqanitawase tap-back. He picked up the ball and ran 90m to score the Knights’ second try.
The Roosters’ domination of possession and territory was eventually rewarded when Nawaqanitawase swooped on Robert Toia’s offload just before the break, as the Knights went into the sheds with a 12-6 lead.
The Tri Colours came out swinging in the second half but somehow the Knights continued to defy the odds with a number of great defensive plays.
But the pressure eventually became too much as Billy Smith grounded the ball for the Roosters’ second try which levelled the match.
The Knights had to score next to have a chance of winning due to the Roosters’ dominance, however, they found themselves trailing for the first time when Walker slotted a penalty goal.
Their luck began to run out as the Roosters extended their lead when Daly Cherry-Evans’ grubber kick hit the post which was regathered and resulted in Nawaqanitawase scoring his second in the corner to extend their lead to six, with Walker missing the sideline conversion.
Mark Nawaqanitawase scored his second try in the NRL grand final. Photo / Brad Roberts
With 10 minutes remaining Cherry-Evans slotted a field goal meaning the Knights would have to score twice to have any chance of claiming a miracle win.
However, the Knights refused to give up with Greg Marzhew scoring with three minutes remaining and Sandon Smith converting from the sideline to make it a one-point game.
The Knights had two sets to try to win the title, but the Roosters hung on for a famous win.
It completed a remarkable day for the Roosters, with their NRLW team completing the perfect season by beating the Brisbane Broncos 30-6 in the final.
Attention now turns to the Rugby League World Cup which starts on October 15.
Ponga, who recently switched eligibility to New Zealand, will likely earn a first call-up for the Kiwis, while Whyte is also expected to be picked.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.