Down 26-0 at half-time against North Queensland and eventually beaten 32-20, it would seem fair to assume the mood on the flight home from Townsville was sombre and reflective.

But at least one of the Knights returned with a fond memory that is likely to last a lifetime.

In the opening minute of the second half, rookie utility back Tex Hoy backed up a line break by back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon and raced 35 metres to score the first NRL try of his career.

"It was obviously a pretty special one," Hoy said. "I'll remember that for a while, but it was disappointing we didn't get the win afterwards."

A South Newcastle junior and the son of former professional surfer Matt Hoy, 20-year-old Tex has long been considered one of the Knights' brightest prospects.

He underlined that during the pre-season with standout performances in the Nines tournament and Newcastle's trials, earning an upgrade from a development contract to become a full-time member of Newcastle's top 30 squad.

New coach Adam O'Brien was quick to recognise that Hoy had "an innate ability to make things happen" with the ball in hand, although he added that: "He's got some work to do and he understands that too."

Like any novice, Hoy was likely to have to wait for his opportunity, but two instances of misfortune that befell his housemates, Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson, created an opening.

Firstly Ponga was suspended for Newcastle's round-three match against Penrith, allowing Hoy to make an eye-catching debut in a 16-all draw.

In the same game, Watson limped off with an ankle injury and suddenly O'Brien needed a new bench handyman.

The former NSW under-20s representative has now strung together five consecutive top-grade games and is learning new lessons each week.

"Tex is going good," Knights captain Mitchell Pearce said.

"He's obviously only young and he got his first try on the weekend.

"He's coming up with lots of good little support plays and some really nice runs when he comes on, so Tex is a real player of the future."

Having played most of his junior career as a fullback, Hoy was given a chance at five-eighth during the pre-season and O'Brien believes he could also handle centre.

For the time being, he is being used in an ad-lib roving role to complement Pearce, Ponga and five-eighth Kurt Mann.

"I don't exactly what time I'll be coming on each week," he said.

"The coach doesn't tell me that. So I just come on and wherever he tells me, I'll play.

"I'm happy just to be out there ... honestly, I just get on the field and get the ball in my hands and just run.

"That's all I get told and all I focus on."

Hoy admitted the NRL was "a big step up" for NSW Cup. But he has handled it with enough confidence composure to validate O'Brien's belief that he has "rare talent".

As O'Brien said in March: "I just see he has a future."