Throwback to Round 9, it's Magic Round and a packed crowd at Suncorp Stadium rise as the Knights put boot to grass.
After starting the season poorly, the Knights were looking at three on the trot if they could knock off Canterbury-Bankstown.
'He met fire with fire, as he does best'
Hindsight is a beautiful thing, and a defensive lapse after halftime brought the Bulldogs back into the game, before the brilliance of Kalyn Ponga sealed the deal and relieved the pressure.
The Knights will look back on Round 9, and indeed their mistakes against the Warriors last week, and aim to make it two from two against the boys from Belmore.
Pearce v Cogger
The Mitch Pearce and Jack Cogger match-up is the perfect master and apprentice analogy.
Although now wearing No.7 for the Bulldogs, Cogger spent his time at Newcastle as Pearce's understudy.
The resurrection of Mitchell Pearce
The veteran playmaker, who will feature in Wednesday's State of Origin decider is named to back-up on Friday night, and indeed if he does backup will play a critical role directing the Knights attack.
His eight try assists to Cogger's two, matched with his competition-leading line break assists (totaling 13) prove his danger in executing the Knights attack, however his five tries to Cogger's two and 25 tackle breaks for the season suggest he is just as dangerous running the ball himself.
Levi v Lichaa
Our speedy No.9 made a return to the NRL last week after being sidelined for five weeks with an ankle injury.
Danny Levi's incredible 80-minute performance proved his match fitness and ability to rise for the team.
Levi's 12 tackle breaks and two line breaks, teamed with his lightning speed out of the ruck, suggest he is a nightmare for the oppositions 'A' defenders, and subsequently places additional pressure on markers.
Ultimate guide: Knights host Dogs on Friday
Levi has also recorded two try assists this season, showing he is not afraid to take the reins close to the line and direct play.
Team Talk: Origin stars backing up
In 2019, Lichaa has recorded four tackle breaks, and no line breaks or try assists.
Watson v Watene-Zelezniak
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been a handy pickup for the Bulldogs, and will play his third match for the blue and white on Friday night.
Watenze-Zelezniak is dangerous if given space, and given metres to wind up off a kick return, is difficult to stop.
He has recorded 334 run metres and six tackle breaks in just two games.
The Knights will need to control his possession, limiting his ability to bring impact from the back of the field.
Knights v Bulldogs Round 17 NRL team
Connor Watson has played four positions in 13 games and proven to be a valuable asset at fullback, five-eighth, hooker and off the bench.
Named at No.1 this week in the absence of Kalyn Ponga, Watson brings stability in defence over his counterpart, maintaining an 88% tackle efficiency over Watene-Zelezniak who is sitting at 86%.
Watson has racked up a staggering 48 tackle breaks this season, as well as three tries. Watene-Zelezniak has recorded six tackle breaks and one try respectively.
