At 29, the high-flying winger has scored 98 tries in 148 NRL games for the Cowboys and is widely regarded as one of the most experienced, reliable flankers in the business.

Yet at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night, Feldt was made to look like a second-rate plodder by a kid with only a handful of senior games to his name.

Appearing in just his fourth NRL fixture, Knights winger Dominic Young scored two tries, produced two try assists for Kalyn Ponga, carried the ball 202 metres and helped Newcastle keep their line intact in a 38-0 triumph.

It highlighted why the Knights swooped last year, offering a three-season contract to an emerging teenager from the north of England who had played twice for Huddersfield in Super League. Initially it was expected Young, who knocked back Melbourne Storm to sign with Newcastle, would bide his time this season in NSW Cup.

But he made his top-grade debut against Wests Tigers in round three, joining Chris Joynt, Lee Jackson, Brian Carney and Joe Wardle among the British imports to have worn Newcastle's blue and red.

Knee surgery then sidelined him for a month, but the 19-year-old was recalled in round 13 and has since played in three consecutive games.

On the strength of his performance against the Cowboys, Young could be soon become a long-term fixture.

"He's getting better and better, for a young man that's just starting out on his journey," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said.

"That's his best game so far, and the week before was his best game, so he's naturally on a progression.

"There's a couple of things there he'd like to do again, but he's young, he's learning. I like coaching him too."

At 107 kilograms and two metres tall, Young is certainly ready-made for NRL requirements and feels he has been "building" week by week.

"Each game I've learned things and [against the Cowboys] I finally got the opportunities with the ball and good things happened for me," he told the Newcastle Herald. "So I'm happy with how it went ...

"I knew I'd start the season in NSW Cup.

"Maybe I didn't expect to play this many games this year, but obviously now that I'm playing, I just want to play as many as I can and hopefully finish the year in the first team."

Playing outside Kalyn Ponga for the first time was a mutually beneficial experience, creating and scoring four tries between them.

"What a player," Young said of Ponga.

"He helped me a lot. Just his threat with the ball, it takes some flies off me so I can get in space. So I'm really happy he's back."

Young said the NRL was "definitely a step up" from Super League but pre-season training convinced him he was not out of his depth.

"It's a lot faster game and everyone is probably a bit fitter. It's a lot more in-your-face, a tougher game ... but the pre-season prepared me well," he said. "It was tough and it got me in the right shape. I got an idea of what to expect and I'm reaping the benefits of that now."

With an end-of-season World Cup to be played in his homeland, Young shapes as a potential bolter for the England squad. He also has a contingency plan if not required by the Lions.

"Obviously I've got Jamaican heritage and the World Cup is back home, so if that opportunity came it up would be good," he said.

"It's the first time they [Jamaica] have qualified, so it's a big thing for them, and obviously there's quite a big West Indian community back home, so they'll be well followed, and I'd love to represent them."