As junior and amateur sporting codes - and even professional organisations such as the A-League and W-League - debated whether games and training sessions should be held, given the unprecedented smoke from multiple bushfires around the state, it was business as usual for the Knights at their Mayfield West headquarters.

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga said Friday's conditioning session was "tough".

"Today was probably one of the harder days," he said.

"It actually was. It's been good, though. Every day is hard. Every day is challenging, both physically and mentally.

"But at the same time, it's enjoyable and we're all still having fun.

"So being able to find that balance, while still working hard, has been good."

Ponga said he hadn't noticed any ill-effects from training in the murky haze. Some of his teammates have woken this week to find their cars sprinkled in ash.

"You don't really feel it, I don't reckon, and none of the boys have been complaining about training in it," he said. "Obviously it's not ideal. Obviously with the smoke, that means fire, and that's quite concerning. But in terms of training, it's all right."

With the Knights undertaking a heavy strength-and-conditioning phase of their preparation for 2020, Ponga has yet to dedicate much time to practising his goalkicking.

He has started the past two seasons as Newcastle's main kicker before relinquishing the duties mid-season, to Ken Sio in 2018 and Mason Lino this year.

With Lino recovering from shoulder surgery and facing stiff competition for a spot in Newcastle's top squad, the job could be Ponga's on a permanent basis from next year onwards.

His career record for Newcastle 75 goals from 97 attempts at a perfectly acceptable 77.3 per cent strike rate.

He has also kicked four goals from five attempts for Queensland Origin.

But Ponga said if he was "being brutally honest", he felt Lino was technically better with the boot.

"I always look at it that the best person at the job should do the job," Ponga said.

"So last year Mason came into the team late, and he's the best goalkicker at the club, I reckon.

"If Mason's in the team this year, I'll let him have the reins, but I'm still going to practise and make sure that I'm ready if I have to."

Ponga said he hadn't thought about the competition he was likely to face for the Queensland No.1 jersey next season after Valentine Holmes' return from the NFL. "If it's me, or it's him, or it's anyone else, I hope they do well," he said.

The Knights made a group visit on friday to distribute gifts at John Hunter Children's Hospital.

"It makes you realise what an impact we can have," Ponga said.

"Hopefully we leave some kids with a smile today."