PORT Macquarie hasn't hosted a National Rugby League match of any description since 2011 when Penrith played Newcastle.
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The region's near-decade long wait will end on Saturday afternoon when Canterbury tackle Canberra at Regional Stadium.
Here's a look at six players who could make a difference to the outcome of the match.
Josh Jackson
The Canterbury skipper is a player coaches love to have in their side; reliable and hard-working with a minimum of fuss.
Dogs fans received an early Christmas present when he re-signed for a further three years, keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2023.
He suffered a fractured nose earlier in the pre-season, but is aiming to take some part in Saturday's trial.
Dylan Napa
He watched on from the sidelines as his former teammates won their second-straight National Rugby League crown last year, but Napa is primed for a big 2020.
He played 20 matches for the Bulldogs in the 2019 season, made 483 tackles and averaged 130.9 running metres per match as well as 823.8 post contact metres.
Coach Dean Pay will look for him to lay the platform for halves Jack Cogger and Lachlan Lewis.
Will Hopoate
Hopoate thought he had found a home in the centres following the arrival of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak midway through last season.
But a serious back injury Watene-Zelezniak during last weekend's trial in Port Moresby could mean Hopoate reverts to fullback.
He will have a chance to stake his claim for selection in round one.
Jarrod Croker
Croker is arguably the unluckiest centre in the competition not to have represented New South Wales at State of Origin level.
His statistics speak for themselves, having been the 2012, 2015 and 2016 top point-scorer in the competition.
Coach Ricky Stuart knows exactly what he will get out of him on the right side of the field.
Jack Wighton
Wighton recently re-signed a mammoth contract which will keep him in lime green until the end of the 2024 season.
He was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal despite the Raiders defeat to the Sydney Roosters in last year's grand final.
His strong running game will provide plenty of headaches for the Bulldogs defence.
George Williams
Williams will fill the void left by former halfback Aiden Sezer's departure to English Super League club Huddersfield.
The 25-year-old Englishman isn't expecting to walk straight into Ricky Stuart's round one side, but a strong performance against the 'Dogs won't harm his chances.
