Although beaten again, Newcastle have at least managed to break an unwanted NRL streak stretching back nearly a year and are poised to receive an influx of troops.
Nathan Brown's side had their hearts broken by a 78th minute James Maloney field goal, falling 19-18 to premiers Cronulla at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Saturday.
Yet the Knights lost no fans, having scored a brace of tries three minutes apart to storm back into contention in the final stages of the tense contest.
In a mark of how much they have improved, it was the first time in 23 matches they have conceded less than 20 points.
Going into this weekend, their 22-game run of letting in 20 points or more was a record in the NRL era, according to Fox Sports Stats.
Yet the signs are they're ready to move beyond their also-ran status.
"We've definitely improved a lot on last year," Brown said.
"We've got to understand that we've got to come up with a good defensive effort every week.
"When we get in situations in close games we've got to learn to win them. Your teams at the top, Melbourne and North Queensland, they win the clutch games, sides that don't end up in the situation we're in at the moment."
The Knights went agonisingly close to securing their second win of the season however their lack of experience showed in the crucial moments.
In a return that will have been warmly welcomed throughout the Hunter, middle forward Pauli Pauli turned out in the NSW Cup on Saturday, his first game since dislocating his hip in a car accident in January.
After losing 10kgs during his recuperation, Brown said the big prop was looking in prime shape but he was unsure when he'd be considered for first grade.
Former North Queensland hooker Rory Kastjasyn, meanwhile, continues to have trouble breathing but is edging closer to getting back on the park after a throat injury during pre-season training.
The experience of both could prove a difference as the Knights look to dig themselves out of the long-term mire.
"We're not sure if it's two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, (Kostjasyn) is just going to need a little bit of time," Brown said.
"In these situations, in all these close games we've been in, I imagine Rory would have had a big impact in those tighter situations."
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