Former NSW Origin prop Ben Cross made his first appearance in 11 months, returning from a ruptured biceps alongside ex-Warrior Evarn Tuimavave, Newcastle's main off-season signing.

The two battering rams absorbed plenty of punishment from the much-vaunted Bulldogs pack and gave as good as they got.

"Ben Cross will only be better for the run, no doubt, and I think he's out to prove a serious point this year," Stone said.

"We haven't got massive value out of Crossy since he's been at Newcastle, but touch wood this is the year . . . I think both of them did a good job as a combination in the early exchanges.

"I think that's what you need from your starting props, to really dent the line when the opposition are at their freshest, and I think they both did that really well."

Cross was knocked out in the second half but soon returned to the fray.

"I think I went in for a big shot and he sort of turned and I got his back and shoulder . . . I just need to leave those in the kit bag until I get my timing," he said.

Cross felt Tuimavave and he had a "good little one-two punch going" from the outset.

"And then it was backed up by Dan [Tolar] and Richie [Fa'aoso] when they came on, too," Cross said.

Tuimavave was satisfied with his Knights debut.

"We just worked together and helped each other, doing the little things," he said.

"And to get a win was a good start to the year. Just what we needed."