Days after Mason labelled the Knights' spine as the worst in the competition, Gamble created headlines in the aftermath of the club's 30-28 elimination-final win over Canberra when he fired a shot back at Mason.
In an interview with AAP, Gamble told Mason to "get f***ed", and said the former Knight should worry about his own backyard as part of the coaching staff at struggling Canterbury.
Gamble spoke to Newcastle players and officials on Tuesday morning to apologise for bringing attention to the club with his emotional response to Mason.
But as far as Knights players are concerned, Gamble was right to fire back after the club's 10th straight win.
Players are adamant criticism of their attack is unfair, along with any suggestion they are a one-man team with Ponga.
"What Tyson said was right, and this is why we love Tyson because he uses that passion," Ponga, who is a friend of Mason's, said.
"He hit the nail on the head. It's a team collectively. It's why we're in the position we're in, because everyone's doing their job.
"You look at Tyson's efforts this year, even on the weekend. He was in some of the biggest moments in that game. He played a great role for us.
"Jacko (Jackson Hastings) went off and he stepped up. I don't think he deserves the comments that he got from Mase. On the weekend he showed that."
Gamble is likely to take on an even more crucial role against the Warriors in Saturday's semi-final, with halfback Hastings not expected to overcome an ankle injury to play.
Adam Clune is expected to slot into the halves alongside Gamble, having also filled the role late in the regular season.
Known for his emotion and niggle, Gamble has managed to keep his composure at key moments this season and provided several crucial plays in the Knights' win over Canberra.
"He's just passionate. He embodies what this town is about," Ponga said.
"But he knows what his role is and that's probably why he seems so controlled. He knows what his role is in the team.
"If he didn't know what his role was and he was just playing on emotion, he probably would look erratic. But he knows what he needs to do."
Newcastle centre Bradman Best also backed the comments from Gamble, insistent the 27-year-old was well within his rights to stand up for himself.
"It was more of a stab at him which is personal for him because he is in the spine. But he's been one of our best all year," Best said.
"Everyone's doubting us. It's been happening all year, we've been written off. 100 per cent it's (fuelled us). We just keep turning up. We've won 10 in a row."
