Fresh off the field after replacing an injured Chris Patolo, Sam Hughes opened the scoring for the Bulldogs, muscling his way over from close range thanks to an earlier run from Bronson Xerri.
They added a second try in the 22nd minute when Drew Hutchison took the ball right and Connor Tracey sent Jacob Kiraz over in the corner. Burton converted for a 12-0 lead.
The Knights returned fire before an error put the Bulldogs back in dangerous field position and the home side capitalised with Xerri powering over for his first NRL try since 2019.
They started the second half like they did the first when rookie forward Bailey Hayward planted the ball down swiftly for a thrilling 24-6 lead.
Star winger Josh Addo-Carr added his name to the score sheet in the 59th minute, finishing off a slick left side raid with an aerial finish in the corner.
Ahead 30-6, Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton capped an impressive home win with a superb long-range effort to put the game well and truly to bed at 36-6.
Ciraldo said his side got better every week.
“I feel like we’ve been in every game and given ourselves a chance to win,” he said.
“We haven’t iced some moments but I’m proud of the effort. I feel like we’re learning along the way and today was a culmination of a big seven weeks for us.”
The Bulldogs enjoy a bye before hosting the Wests Tigers in Round 9 where they will also look to welcome back forwards Jacob Preston and Kurt Mann.
