With regular hooker Danny Levi sideline through injury, Watson has been a significant factor for the Knights in consecutive wins over the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney with his speed and strength out of dummy half being likened to the threat Rabbitohs and NSW Blues hooker Damien Cook poses for rival defences.

In a total of 143 minutes in both games after coming on as a replacement against the Roosters, Watson has run for 241 metres and scored two tries, made 13 tackle busts and pulled off 63 tackles.

Against Souths alone, he led the metres gained for his team with 117 and was the top tackler with a game-high 43.

But while the club's greatest hooker says Watson's form since his move to hooker has been outstanding and he already has several of the attributes needed to really establish himself in the role in the future, he claims the player himself needs to want to make the move there permanently if he is to ultimately be successful.

"The thing he has to settle on himself first is whether he sees himself as a number nine," Buderus said.

"He may still see himself first and foremost as a half but as soon as he bites down and says 'right, I'm a hooker now' and he works really hard at it, I'm sure he is capable of making a real go of it."

Asked if the Cook comparisons were apt, Buderus said: "He is certainly dynamite out of dummy half. He knows when to the run and when not to and he takes his opportunities which is what we've seen from him in the past two games.

"His speed and anticipation make him a real handful and with the forwards going so well, he's taken advantage. But he still has a fair way to go to really nail the position."

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Buderus, who like Watson played in the halves as a junior before developing himself into one of Australia's greatest number nines, said Watson's passing is an area he needs to focus on.

"That's a real key for him but that comes with repetition practise and having a mindset to really set about becoming the best passer he can be. He just needs to knuckle down for an off-season or even two to fine-tune everything.

"Like I said before though, it's something he has to want to do himself first and foremost."

With Levi likely to be out for around another month after ankle surgery, Watson will get plenty of time to really familiarise himself with the role.

On Saturday, he goes head-to-head with the game's best hooker Cameron Smith when the Knights clash with Melbourne at AAMI Park.

But with Levi signed for another season and the club actively pursuing Cronulla Sharks hooker Jayden Brailey for next year and beyond, whether Watson fits into the hooking equation long term remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, just when Slade Griffin will make his long-awaited return from a fourth knee reconstruction remains clouded.

Griffin had been targeting round 16 for his comeback match but that has been pushed back even further following a number of minor setbacks including illness that have delayed his progress.