Eight years ago Kalyn Ponga was New Zealand’s under-13 golf champion while he was also playing rugby league, rugby union, soccer, touch football and hockey.
Last night, at 20, Ponga was runner-up to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for the coveted Dally M Medal, and he’s only played 29 NRL games in his life.
If he hadn’t had his ankle in a moon boot for the last two rounds, Ponga would have had the medal around his neck last night.
He led by a point with a round to go, but Tuivasa-Sheck blew the Knight away with a three-pointer for the Warriors.
Which begs the question, how much better will Kalyn Ponga be as his experience grows among the rugby league elite?
The sky is the limit.
To prove the point, here is the top ten in the Dally M count – along with the amount of NRL games they’ve played.
29 points – Roger Tuivasa-Skeck (Warriors) – 136.
27 – Kalyn Ponga (Knights) – 29.
26 – Luke Brooks (Wests-Tigers) – 107.
25 – Valentine Holmes (Sharks) – 104.
23 – Mitchell Pearce (Knights) – 253.
19 – Jason Taumololo (Cowboys) – 153.
19 – Cameron Munster (Storm) – 87
18 – Ashley Taylor (Titans) – 68
18 – Damien Cook (South Sydney) – 73
18 – Isaac Luke (Warriors) – 254.
Barring further injuries, there’s no doubt the head-geared Ponga – who can play fullback, centre, and five-eighth with equal ability of gifted hands, express speed, and deft footwork – will be another strong contender for the 2019 Dally M, and beyond.
Kalyn Ponga playing State of Origin. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
But for the moment the honours rest with Tuivasa-Sheck, highlighted by an impromptu haka from Isaac Luke, Jamayne Isaako, Esan Masters, and Jordan Rapana to celebrate the Warriors’ first Dally M. He’s the first fullback to win the award since Ben Barba in 2012.
The haka also highlighted the rise in Polynesian talent in the NRL with five of the top ten – Tuivasa-Sheck is Samoan, Ponga is Maori, Holmes is Cook Island and Maori, Taumololo is Tongan, and Luke is Maori-Irish.
But there was one very hard to understand aspect from last night, highlighted with the vast difference in the two major awards: the Dally M (best player) and the Provan Summons (most popular).
The fans have their say with the Provan Summons Medal. It went to Rabbitoh Damien Cook.
But how could Cook be 11 points, and seven places, behind Tuivasa-Sheck in the Dally M count?
Either Rabbitoh fans voted in a huge block, or the NRL judges didn’t give enough recognition to the vastly-improved hooker.
But it was hard to fault the glittering evening at Sydney’s Overseas Terminal at Circular Quay brilliantly hosted by Yvonne Sampson.
There was one hiccup, however. The recently-retired Sam Thaiday made his debut as a comedian on national television and it went off like a lead balloon.
Damn shame that after such a great career for the Broncos, Maroons, and the Kangaroos.
Horses for courses, Sam.
Jim stanley
Guest
Hayne won the daly m as fullback in 2014 (factcheck)
Branko
Guest
Read again Jacko..... P.S 'soon' doesn't need to mean 'within weeks'
Jacko
Guest
Worlds premier league competition???? Is the NRL better than the other one? ponga out injured so wont be playing for the Aus section of the NRL against the NZ section or the NZ/tongan section of the NRL
Mitcher
Guest
There’s something really sad about the code warrior type.
Milan
Guest
Oh dear Elliott - looks like you have a bit of the old chip on your shoulder syndrome. Never fails to amuse me how so many Union snobs denigrate league as a minor, irrelovent sport but then seem to hold so much bitterness towards it - in fact its bizarre. Speak soon Elliott son
peeeko
Roar Guru
congrats
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Ja, beat me to it jacko. Read somewhere recently that the AB's might be looking at him ?? Played rugby union in NZ and at Churchie in Brisbane. Hell of a talented lad, for sure. Though Union is my no 1 game, having taught at a League school in NQ, and coached some up there, I would like to see him have a fair career in league, inc. State of Origin, and then switch to Union, like Brad Thorn. Good luck to him....hope injury does not blight his career.....he could slot in with the greats, along with Lockyer, Billy, Jonathan T, Smith et al.
Branko
Guest
Huh? He will soon be playing international rugby league for Australia and will continue to suit up in the world's premier rugby competition. World stage indeed.
john
Guest
The thing that confuses me is, his move to the Knights was motivated by money according to a lot of reports. But if he was an accomplished golfer wouldn't you advocate he takes that up instead if it's money he is chasing. Golfers do have a higher earning potential and a longer career than rugby league players.
Nick
Roar Guru
Bingo.
DanFan
Guest
Congratulations to RTS and the other kiwis who were in the top 10. I too am looking forward to Ponga suiting up for the ABs. That kind of talent needs to be on the world stage.
Jacko
Guest
he might have a great career in Rugby Union as well
Johnny Boy
Guest
They guy was good at golf as well? Some guys have all the luck.
Don
Roar Rookie
Given Mitchell Pearce polled 23 votes in just 15 games its likely that Ponga would have seen a few less votes go his way had Pearce stayed fit.
Marty
Guest
There was plenty to fault about running of the night. Now that the NRL owns the Dally M, isn't it time they turn it into the event that it should be? At the moment, its just so typically haphazard. The producers of the ceremony seem to ignore what the AFL do each year with the Brownlows. On top of Thaiday's spectacular fail; the way the Womans Player of the Year award was presented was ridiculous. The usher running it out to Breayley and just handing it to her because the engraver wasn't given enough notice to get the medal ready - so disrespectful to the award after so much emotion and vigour from Tarsha Gale's speech, the Frilingos award earlier in the evening and the fantastic spirit the NRL has embraced the womans game.
kk
Roar Pro
Hi David, Recently I posted that Kalyn Ponga might just be the best backliner I had seen in my lifetime. When he signed with the Knights I said " I hope they put a solid pack in front of him" How the Knights recruit a tough hard and mobile pack will determine his career. Kalyn is signed until 2021. Looking forward to every one of the 100 + club and rep matches.