Second-rower Sam made his NRL debut for the Knights in round one last year and went on to score two tries in 16 appearances.

Only 20, the forward impressed in his rookie season and earned a contract extension until the end of 2020 as well as selection for the Junior Kangaroos.

His father Rick spent nearly a decade in Newcastle, first as an assistant to Michael Hagan and then as head coach from 2009 to 2011. He then served on Wayne Bennett’s staff before taking the head coaching role again in 2015.

Now coaching Huddersfield in the English Super League, Stone has watched his son’s burgeoning NRL career from afar with pride.

“He had a good year,” Stone told Inside Sport.

“Because the Knights are a bit skinny on personnel he might have played a few more games than he might have if he was with a stronger side. But I think he acquitted himself fairly well when he got his chance.

“He was pretty chuffed with his season last year. He’s just signed an extension there last year to keep him there for another three years, which is good news for him.

“The club’s got some confidence that he can grow into a decent player in the next couple of years.”