The Roar
The Roar

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Are you ready for a new sensation?

22nd November, 2016
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Kalyn Ponga following his 2016 semi-final debut. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
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22nd November, 2016
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That old INXS tune from 1988 rattles around in my head and a new teenage rugby league sensation steps in to the media limelight.

It was reported last week that 18-year-old North Queensland rising star Kalyn Ponga has signed with the Newcastle Knights for upwards of $3 million over five years.

This is an unprecedented contract for an inexperienced rookie.

So far the youngster has played only two NRL games yet had almost every NRL club chasing him, in a bidding war won by the Knights. Ponga is tipped to play at fullback for Newcastle.

Discussions are continuing between the Cowboys and Knights as to whether he will be playing at Newcastle in 2017 or 2018. Ponga is still contracted to North Queensland for next season.

The fact that Kalyn is only 18, his body is still maturing and he has only played two games at the top level makes this contract a huge risk for the Knights.

This is what makes it so bloody exciting!

It is what keeps stoking the fire for me as a rugby league fan.

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Kalyn Ponga and Jason Taumalolo

I have fond memories of reading the bold tabloid ‘Million Dollar Man’ type headlines as I made the daily train commute back in the day.

From the little I have seen of Ponga he is light on his feet with a wicked sidestep and a great turn of speed. His defence may need a bit of work.

The journey will be long and hard but now I, and I’m sure thousands of other fans, will be watching Cowboys-Knights games with renewed interest in whether he can live up to the hype and money. For the game’s sake I hope so.

Here is selection of teenage rugby league sensation stories that have struck a chord with me over the years.

Benji Marshall Wests Tigers 2003 (18)
The Keebra Park High School sensation almost didn’t make it after a couple of serious shoulder injuries while his body was still maturing. He went on to play a key factor in the Tigers 2005 premiership. Benji has been signed by Wayne Bennett and the Broncos for 2017 at age 32.

Geoff Toovey Manly 1988 (18)
I can still picture the tiny fresh faced halfback making his debut for Manly against Great Britain. Toovey not only handled what the Poms dished out but scored a try and was man of the match.

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It was an early indicator of the heart and determination he showed at all levels of the game.

Adam Ritson Cronulla 1993 (16) and Mark O’Meley North Sydney 1999 (18)
I have bundled these two monster forwards together as they both had young minds, overdeveloped bodies and advanced skills. Unfortunately for Ritson his career was short at three years after a brain scan that followed a high tackle revealed a life-threatening brain cyst.

On the other hand ‘Shrek’ O’Meley enjoyed a long career both in Australia and England

Peter Sterling Parramatta 1978 (18)
Parramatta coach Terry Fearnley plucked a young Peter Sterling out of Fairfield Patrician Brothers to play fullback against Manly in a 1978 semi final replay. ‘Sterlo’ went on to be one of the great rugby league halfbacks and was inducted into the ARL Hall of Fame in 2006.

Brad Fittler Penrith 1989 (17)
Accompanied by vision of a young ‘Freddie’ Fittler mucking around with his mates at McCarthy Catholic Senior High School the big news was that Ron Willey had picked him to play five-eighth for the Panthers in the finals ahead of Chris Mortimer and Brad Izzard. Fittler went on to be one of the modern day greats.

Geoff Starling Balmain 1971 (18)
To be honest this one is based on what I have heard from other Tigers supporters rather than what I witnessed. Starling, a centre became the youngest person to represent Australia (18 years 178 days) in 1971.

By 1974 he had been struck down with a mystery illness later diagnosed as Addison’s disease. Unfortunately this ended his footy career.

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Greg Florimo North Sydney 1986 (18)
Flo hit the rugby league headlines initially as much for his love of skateboarding and laid back attitude to life. Flo went on to be one of the Bears greats and a popular ambassador for the club.

Ben Ikin Gold Coast 1995 (18)
Ikin became the youngest player in State of Origin history when he was chosen to play for Queensland in 1995. Appeared to play slightly overweight in his early years but had a rugby league successful career and is now a slimline commentator.

Honourable mentions go to Greg Alexander, Ben Elias, Braith Anasta, Terry Lamb, Jordan Rankin and Karl Filiga (purely for the size of the potential based contract Cronulla gave him).

Five players debuted under 17 years of age in the NSWRL/ARL/NRL (this and other story information courtesy of the Rugby League Project).

Frank Burge (Glebe) 16 years and 258 days in 1911.
Ray Stehr (Easts) 16 years and 85 days in 1928.
Jack Arnold (Wests) 16 years and 220 days in 1936.
Adam Ritson (Cronulla) 16 years and 303 days in 1993.
Jordan Rankin (Titans) 16 years and 238 days in 2008.

There has been discussion at the NRL around banning youngsters from making their debut until the year of their 19th birthday. What do you think Roarers? Should the NRL step in and prevent young guns from playing too early?

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