ENGLISH Super League recruit Dom Young made quite the first impression for the Knights in Saturday's pre-season trial against Newcastle premiers the Goannas at Cessnock Sportsground.
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The 19-year-old was "definitely the stand out" and "you can see why people are getting excited about him" according to Knights assistant coach Willie Peters, with the winger scoring the first of five tries and setting up another in a 20-4 victory.
Young, who only played the opening 40 minutes, may even back up for the Knights against reigning NRL champions the Storm in Albury this weekend.
"Definitely the stand out for me was Dom Young," Peters told the Newcastle Herald.
"For him it was about effort areas - making every carry count, obviously being sound and making his tackles. I thought he did that plus more.
"I thought he was a handful with the ball. There were just some little things and a few different technical areas to work on.
"But all we were looking for were the core basics from him ... just seeing what he had and there was enough for us to go 'we can see why people are getting excited about him'."
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Jack Johns, playing lock for the Knights at the former home ground of his dad Matthew, uncle Andrew and grandfather Gary, was the main injury concern and will be monitored this week after being concussed while making a tackle against the Goannas.
He was assisted from the field and underwent a HIA around the 15-minute mark but never returned.
"We wouldn't have let him go back on anyway, but I'd say he wouldn't have been allowed back on," Peters said.
"The response we got from the bench was that he was ok. I think he came to pretty quickly, started talking and reacting reasonably well in the dressing room. But we didn't want to take any risks."
Peters said centre Brayden Musgrove and second-rower Brodie Jones both produced solid performances against their former club Cessnock.
In terms of non-NRL squad members, Dylan Lucas caught the attention of Peters with the centre crossing the stripe during the last quarter.
Jacob Kiraz, Kobe Davis and Liam Wilkinson were the others to nab four pointers for the Knights.
Scott Haynes opened the Goannas' account and made it 8-4 on the brink of half-time.
"I thought Cessnock were really willing, they were aggressive and they were there to play," Peters said.
"They did their club and area proud with the way they played."
Looking ahead Peters said he was unsure if Mitchell Pearce lines up in Saturday's trial against Melbourne as the halfback recovers from recent thumb surgery but that marquee signing Tyson Frizell would make his maiden appearance for the Knights.
Meanwhile, Central won the inaugural Bill Smith Memorial Nines tournament played at Lakeside Sporting Complex in Raymond Terrace on Saturday.
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