Newcastle coach Michael Hagan today vowed the Knights will match fire with fire when confronted with Parramatta's big forward pack at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.
The Eels have bulked up in the off-season, picking up several forwards over 100kg.
But Newcastle has a decent sized pack itself, and Hagan said having former NSW front rower Josh Perry would be a help in ensuring the Knights came out on top in the forward battle.
"Parramatta have a very big forward pack and there's no question that Matt Parsons and Josh Perry up front will help our cause," Hagan said.
"We haven't actually looked too closely at them yet but I think it's just looking at their pack on paper ... they're quite a big football team across the board," he said.
"We need to make sure we're up for that on Saturday night."
The Knights are one of three teams sitting atop the National Rugby League ladder undefeated after two rounds following wins over Penrith and Melbourne.
Hagan said nobody can be assured of a first grade spot each week.
"I had the opportunity to talk to (the players) this morning about the fact that nobody can afford to be comfortable in their position at the moment," Hagan said.
"It's a good position for the football team to be in and we'll assess performance week by week and take it from there."
Hagan also warned his charges would have to watch in-form Parramatta halfback Adam Dykes, who was instrumental in the Eels' 26-18 upset win over Brisbane last weekend.
"He's hit a bit of form in the last week or two and is obviously important to what they do," Hagan said.
"We'll need to defend on him no different than Matt Orford or Craig Gower the week before."
