And while the coach was left feeling disappointed and frustrated that his team couldn't grab the two points in Saturday's loss to premiers Hamilton Hawks in their grand final replay, there was so much about the game he loved.

"The most important thing for me is that our guys realised we can beat them," Thomas said.

That might sound unusual, especially coming from a grand final side, but such has been the aura the Hawks have created over five successive premierships that Thomas believes half the battle in playing them is psychological.

"I think playing them is different to any other side because of what they've achieved," Thomas said.

"There's a mental hurdle there for sure, but there's no doubt in my mind the guys are starting to believe, and that's really exciting."

The Blacks couldn't have had a worse week going into the game with injuries, withdrawals and a reshuffled team; they also had a flu scare through the club to contend with late in the week.

So to be right in the game - and make no mistake, the game was there to be won - sent a ripple of confidence through the club.

How close was it?

It was 14-all at half time, and with 10 minutes and Maitland were down by three. At that stage they had a penalty try controversially disallowed when the Blacks shoved the Hawks scrum backwards and it collapsed over the line.

A penalty try - which the crowd was calling for - would have give them an incredible lift going into the final minutes.

"For me the big indicator of the flow of the game was the 26-4 penalty count in our favour," Thomas said.

"That was because of the pressure we were putting on them. They were having to give up penalties to keep us at bay."

Of course the Hawks will also point to the lopsided penalty count against them as reason for optimism too.

The injuries, which is a continuation of what has been going on all season, has certainly tested the Blacks' depth.

"You need 40 players to win the first grade, not 15," Thomas said.

"But our senior players like No.8 Travis Brooke, centre Carl Manu and hooker Phil Bradford are standing up and leading us and that's great to see.

"But we're still making fundamental errors, and leaving lots of points on the field ... you know, we make a break and the final pass goes astray. Our goal kicking still isn't where it should be either.

"So there are so many areas where we can improve. But that's what makes it exciting.

"We're not far off and the guys are all starting to realise it."