And Tex Hoy has his sights firmly set on an NRL debut this season with coach Adam O'Brien saying he is on track to potentially replace Kalyn Ponga if the Maroons star is unavailable during the State of Origin series.

Hoy will get a golden opportunity to showcase his skills for the Knights in the absence of Ponga during the NRL Nines in Perth but has already impressed O'Brien during a tough pre-season.

"I've been really happy with Tex and he's just another of the young guys from our own backyard who is developing really well," O'Brien said.

"He'll definitely come into contention when Kalyn's not available and as a coach, some of these young guys give you some confidence that we'll have the depth to cover not only for injuries but also for performance."

Hoy, last season's Knights NSW Cup player of the year, also played NSW Under 20's on the Origin stage in 2019 and is working hard to round out the rough edges in his game to take that next step.

Close mates with Ponga off the field, he admits he has been studying the brilliant Knights fullback closely on video and on the training paddock in a bid to improve his own game.

"I'd love to get that debut this year - that's the goal," Hoy said. "Hopefully Kalyn makes it into Origin and that might give me a little bit of a window to show what I can do.

"I'm happy with how it's all going. I just need to keep working hard. Mainly my consistency and trying to get my errors down more than anything. I've been picking Pearcey [Mitchell Pearce] and Kalyn's brains to try and make my game better.

"I've been watching video of Kalyn just to see what he does. We kind of move a bit similar so I'm looking at how he plays and watching what he does to better myself. You learn a lot at training from him as well because his talk is real good which is an area I need to improve."

Playing in the Nines on February 14 and 15 will be even more special for Hoy with his surfing father Matt featured among other Newcastle sporting icons in a special design on the jersey.

"It looks great with [artist] Mitchy Revs' design on it," Hoy said of the jersey. "Seeing my dad on it surfing a wave is pretty cool. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to wear it in Perth."

Matt Hoy, a mad Knights fan who was the sixth ranked surfer in the world the year the club won its first premiership back in 1997, says he is "honoured" to feature on the jersey.

"I was stoked when I found out so hopefully Tex gets to wear it at the Nines," he said. "Mate, I'm so proud of what he's done already and hopefully he gets a debut this year and I'll be the proudest dad ever.

"He's got a heap of ability, particularly with the footy in his hands. I've watched him all the way through and tried to give him some tips but he didn't listen to any of them.

"Maybe that's helped him."