The Newcastle Knights have ended the season on a high with a spirited 40-10 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday in what was a fitting farewell for the team's departing players and coach Wayne Bennett.
"It was really nice and I'm really proud of the players and their effort," Bennett said at the post match press conference.
"They have a bit of confidence in the last couple of months, particularly at home, we've played so well at home compared to when we've played away.
"It was a crazy game of football, but it was a fun game.
"It's a great example today of two teams that are just out there playing a bit of footy, there is a lot of fun involved.
"They entertained and we entertained, the fans stayed and cheered all afternoon."
The coach touched on the challenges the year has presented and how proud he is that the team stuck together.
"We have eight players out today, all top first graders, which we've had for most of the season," Bennett said.
"I know I am in in a results-driven business but no one knows what we have been through except those part of the action.
"A lot of time I wasn't coaching here, I was just managing situations and making sure it was holding it together so we could finish the season with a bit of credibility."
And that's what the Knights managed, winning four of their last five matches.
"We finished as a team and that's more important than anything else," Bennett said.
"I'll miss the boys, but I've done it before so it's not new territory to me."
Mason was happy to play his last game with Newcastle at Hunter Stadium, in front of fans and said the town's support is something that he'll miss.
"It's been a great three years here for me so it was a little bit emotional...it was a good feeling and will be a very good memory," he said.
"It's not the end for me because I'm going to be playing next year, so it's just another chapter in the book."
