Newcastle star Willie Mason says the Knights' players have resolved to give their all regardless of the crisis gripping the NRL club's front office.
The Knights went within three seconds of producing the upset of the season on Monday night against Manly, thwarted only by a field goal from Sea Eagles ace Daly Cherry-Evans.
Newcastle had plenty of reasons to throw in the towel at Brookvale Oval, with 20 key staff and players left unpaid and the likely ousting of owner Nathan Tinkler casting doubt over their individual futures.
But veteran front-rower Mason said the 17 players who took the field against Manly took a conscious decision to show what they're made of, regardless of the club's problems.
"As 17 players who take the field every time we represent the Knights, we just need to put in that effort and that's it," Mason said.