But the former Lakes United hooker is doing everything in his power to change that.

Despite ending 2019 as a development player with the Knights without making his NRL debut, Randall started the pre-season on a train and trial deal and is yet to officially put pen to paper on his new development contract.

But after scoring the opening try and playing strongly as a back-up hooker in Saturday's trial loss to the Dragons at Maitland, Randall is making a strong case for an upgrade into the Knights' 30-man squad before March 1.

With new recruit Jayden Brailey rested after the opening quarter with the scores at 0-0, Randall was thrown into the game at dummy half and didn't disappoint.

His service was good and he was on the spot to pick up a late off-load from prop Daniel Saifiti and force his way over from close range early in the second term.

While coach Adam O'Brien has utility star Connor Watson at his disposal off the bench to deputise for Brailey if needed, Randall has shown he is now a viable NRL hooking option if something was to happen to Brailey.

"I think I was on for 10 minutes in that third quarter where we let in three or four tries which wasn't good but I was happy with the way I went in the second quarter," he said.

"I thought it was a pretty solid 20 minutes and I'm obviously happy to get that little try there and hopefully build on that. I've probably come in pretty late into Cup, at 21 or 22, without being in the system previously in the lower grades so it's a little bit of a different way for most players to do it. It hasn't been easy and I've had to really work hard and stick at it and I'm just stoked now for the opportunity.

"Like I said, it's been tough but when you dream it and you want it desperately enough, you have to stick with it and give it your best and just keep working as hard as you can and that's what I've tried to do.

"The goal now for me is to try and push hard for a top 30 contract with a couple of spots still available. That would be great."