But it's not this year and Griffiths highlighted Hlad and fellow Goannas favourite Kori Barber as two players who will be hell-bent on restoring Cessnock's pride this weekend after two losses to start the game.

"Brendan Hlad is like he has a new lease on life. He is starting in the front row for them, he is going well," Griffiths said.

Going so well he clocked up another best on ground performance in the Goannas 28-18 loss to Lakes United at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday.

"He (Hlad) is a wealth of experience and he has got some talent to boot. There are going to be some good match-ups. Kori Barber was back in first grade on the weekend," Griffiths said.

"I expect a great performance from them again this weekend."

Despite both teams losing on the weekend, with the Bulldogs 38-16 losers to premiership favourities Wests, Griffiths expects a big crowd and another classic derby.

"There's a few games through the year that I'm sure the players and supporters enter into their calendar and the local derby is chief among them.

"It will be a great day for Newcastle Rugby League and both clubs.

"(Cessnock coach) Todd (Edwards) has recruited very well through the summer. He has been very smart in who he has brought in and I've got no doubt they are just going through a settling-in process.

"I'd say by round three, playing Kurri at Cessnock they'll be ready to go.

"They'll be desperate to turn things around. Sides like that who have lost their first two are always dangerous because they play with a lot of desperation.

"We understand it is going to be formidable going up there."

Griffiths expects the game to be decided by a heavy-duty battle of the forwards.

"Our assistant coach Mick Young says that the game is won in the forwards, the backs decide by how much," Griffiths said.

"It really will be an intriguing game as both teams have been quality players in the forwards and backs."

Goannas coach Todd Edwards was bitterly disappointed in Cessnock's loss to his old side Lakes on Saturday.

"We weren't up to the standard required of a team playing at this level," he said.

"They got the first try within 70 seconds and we were unable to get ourselves back into the game after that.

"We struggled from the start and our possession percentage was dreadful.

"Brendan Hlad was very good again, Paul Carter tried very hard and young Nick Lawrence was good when he came on at hooker.

"Otherwise it was pretty disappointing."

Edwards said there were no excuses for the two losses at home to start the season.

"The losses are bad enough, but that's two games in a row when we have lost in all the effort-related statistics," he said.

"There's no better opportunity to turn things around than in a Coalfields clash against Kurri Kurri.

"If they can't get themselves up for a game against Kurri then there really is something amiss.

"We need to treat the Bulldogs with the respect they deserve after some very good performances over the past few seasons.

"Anything short of that and they will hurt us."