THE Knights are bracing for a verbal barrage on and off the field when they tackle the Bulldogs in tomorrow night's season opener at ANZ Stadium.
Playing their first competition game since Chris Houston and Danny Wicks were charged with supplying drugs, the Knights expect to receive a hostile reception from the notorious Bulldogs fans.
In addition, Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis is renowned as one of the NRL's most annoying nigglers with an uncanny knack for getting in the ears and under the skins of his opponents.
Knights coach Rick Stone confirmed yesterday that his players had discussed the welcome they would receive.
"We've mentioned it," he said.
"Sometimes they're witty and sometimes they're quite funny.
"Most footy punters don't really mean too much in what they say, and you just have to take it with a grain of salt and get on with it.
"I think if you're really concentrating on your job, you won't hear too much.
"Sometimes you hear a bit at ANZ during the warm-up, because you get a bit close to the fence.
"But if everyone is focused on doing their job, I don't think it's going to be an issue."
Stone said it would be no surprise if Ennis, who started his NRL career with the Knights, resorted to baiting Newcastle's players with trash talk.
"I don't think Michael Ennis's game is going to change, without any shadow of a doubt," Stone said.
"He plays that sort of game every week against every opposition.
"So we know what's coming and we've got to defend what he brings to the table. Nothing has changed for him."
Ennis remains an adversary many of the Knights players love to hate.
They have not forgotten his over-the-top celebrations and sledging during the Bulldogs' 26-12 win that eliminated Newcastle from last year's finals and would like nothing more than to silence him tomorrow night.
Earlier in the week, Newcastle hooker Matt Hilder described the NSW Origin dummy-half as "a bit of a grub", and halfback Scott Dureau echoed those sentiments yesterday.
"That's the way he plays, he likes to get up in your face," Dureau said. "But hopefully we can get up in his, too, and see how he handles it."
Meanwhile, veteran centre Adam MacDougall was unable to join in yesterday's ball-work session, casting doubt over his availability for tomorrow's match.
MacDougall has been troubled by a nagging knee injury and versatile Wes Naiqama trained in his place at right centre yesterday.
Stone said the former Test star, who turns 35 in two months, was unable to train on a daily basis but was hopeful he would prove his fitness at training today.
"He's had an ongoing knee problem for a couple of weeks now . . . but he'll have another run tomorrow and I think he'll be fine and confident he'll be playing," Stone said.
If MacDougall was ruled out, Naiqama, with 71 NRL games to his name, would be a capable replacement and would partner fellow Fijian Akuila Uate on the right edge.
"Stoney's made me aware of the situation, and I sort of knew the other day I was a chance of playing," Naiqama said.
"I've just been putting my best foot forward at training and looking forward to it.
"I've been training all pre-season to play in this game, so if the opportunity comes up, I'll be grabbing it with both hands."
? South Sydney remain confident prop Ben Ross will still play a big part in their NRL campaign after a specialist put his comeback from a neck injury on hold for at least another month.
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