The celebrations for one of Newcastle's most memorable victories had only just begun when coach Brian Smith reminded his players not to get too carried away.

The Knights, riding high on Danny Buderus's emotional farewell, may have just toppled Melbourne - the reigning champions and NRL premiership favourites - but in terms of their season, Smith was determined to drum in that the job was only half done.

"We've got to do it all again in Brisbane on Friday night, and it doesn't get harder than that," Smith said after his side's stunning 17-16 win over the Storm at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night.

"We're not in the playoffs and the chances are we'll have to win next weekend to make it. So we've got to get ready for that.

"I told (the players), to remind them in case they forgot, what we did was celebrate Bedsy's retirement from the Knights and farewell him and we celebrate our last home game.

"That was all.

"It took every ounce of us (to beat Melbourne) and it probably will again next Friday night."

More sobering news may yet be to come with halfback Scott Dureau, who kicked what turned out to be the match-deciding field goal, set to undergo scans on a foot injury on Monday.

The win ensured Newcastle retained eighth spot ahead of next week's final round with victory against the Broncos enough to cement a finals berth.

Smith, in his second season at the Knights and with some 25 years of coaching experience, rated Saturday's victory as one of the best in his time as coach given the emotion of losing departing skipper Buderus to a season-ending injury last weekend.

The Knights defended desperately, but also played an expansive game in attack, with Smith saying: ""We weren't going to die wondering by trying to play it their way."

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