Kalyn Ponga came to the Newcastle Knights in 2018 as an unproven commodity.
He was a freakish talent even before his club debut, as a 19-year-old with only nine games and three tries to his name at North Queensland.
Still, many called his signing a gamble. But Newcastle played the cards and got blackjack.
Since his arrival in the Hunter, Ponga has played three games for Queensland in State of Origin. In his Origin debut, he only stole the damn match and in his second game he was the main protagonist in the Maroons’ comeback.
Sure, Queensland got massacred in his third match, but even Andrew Johns has been on the wrong end of a thrashing.
With reports Ponga will stay in Newcastle until 2025, the coaching of Adam O’Brien is set to make an impact on the entire club.
The signing of Ponga paved the way for more high-class recruits, like Mitchell Pearce, David Klemmer, Jayden Brailey and Tyson Frizell.
Tyson Frizell (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
I’m not tipping Newcastle to win the big one this year, because they have a lot of work left to do, but they’re a dark horse side like Canberra were last year.
For the young KP, we have seen some signs of his brilliance. He played in five games of Newcastle’s six-match winning streak last year, outscoring the opposition 88-66.
In total, Ponga has scored 22 tries and 256 points, compared to fellow fullback Billy Slater’s try-scoring haul of 190, and Graeme Eadie’s point-scoring record of 1917.
I’m not saying he’s going to break those records but you never know what could happen on the football field.
So Roarers, do you think Kalyn Ponga will win a premiership with the Newcastle Knights?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I think being in the run on side at the Knights was a big factor in leaving the Chook Pen. Also pride was a factor. There were comments that Pearce could learn from Cronk. Pearce is a more than competent club half with flashes of brilliance however lacks a good kicking game. Cronk was sought to provide the brilliance, experience & the ability to make good decisions under pressure. Two premierships followed. Mission accomplished.
Nat
Roar Guru
With hindsight you're probably right. Keary had a pretty good 2017 outside of Pearce. They knew what they were getting from Pearce after all those years. The results are on the board - or trophy.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Ponga may be the icing, but Pearce is the cake.
Paul
Roar Guru
I genuinely don't think Pearce figured in Robinson's plans as a full time member of the spine, Nat. Cronk was always going to take over the Pearce role and Keary was always going to be his able sidekick, but he wasn't going to run the show, Cronk was. Unless Pearce moved to hooker, he'd have been a bench player at best, which must have been tough for a guy who had recently played SOO and given so much service to the Roosters.
max power
Guest
newcastle are great , they should win everything
Paul
Roar Guru
I've no doubt his team mates & Cronk wanted him to stay but realistically, how many games would he have played in first grade? If nothing else, pride would have seen him leave.
kk
Roar Pro
Had Mitchell gone straight home from that harbour cruise he would most probably still be at Easts.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Captain Cordner came out in the media wishing him to stay. Coach Robbo came out in the media wishing him to stay. Cooper Cronk came out saying playing alongside Pearce was one of the reasons he signed with the Roosters.. Stingingly, it wouldn’t have been his team anymore..and this is what he was promised at Newcastle..so if that’s forced out then he was forced out.
Nat
Roar Guru
Even when they lose, he looks more comfortable and relaxed like he's enjoying his footy.
Nat
Roar Guru
Do you think Keary would have taken Pearce's spot at the chooks? He was a Souths utility before coming to Easts but shown his worth since. I thought Pearce made a mistake when he could have played outside of Cronk but you can understand the ego hit it would have been.
Paul
Roar Guru
Pearce was forced out. He was not going to play first grade if both Cronk & Keary were fit so he walked, as would any 200 game first grader, who had a choice of playing for just about any other Club or playing reserve grade for the Roosters. You're certainly right about the kick in the guts to Knights fans if they don't make the finals.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Probably right, but Gallen was publicly spitting chips about him snubbing the Sharks.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Agree, no half backs going better than him, been outstanding, those 5 or 6 consecutive Dally M man of the matches he got last year is just unheard of..
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It sounded like he was going to Manly but one of the dramas hit the club, salary cap issue from memory and it went pear shaped. It's enabled Manly to hang on to a few players they might have otherwise lost.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Pearce chose to leave. He was then doggedly pursued by far better rostered and table positioned clubs Cronulla and Manly. If nothing else Coach Brown has the gift of the gab and got him. Having other Roosters already there and Ponga certainly would’ve helped sway him to join a club that was still doing it really tough. Rosters not good enough for top 4 this year but missing the 8 would be a huge kick in the belly for the supporters.
Nat
Roar Guru
Ponga is the Ace in the sleeve, not the saviour. I would be putting more weight Pearce to get Ponga into a position to attack.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think this is a bit of a rose coloured glasses piece, Adrian. I don't think Ponga joining the Knights "paved the way" for Mitchell Pearce to join the Club, it was the Roosters signing Cooper Cronk for 2 years that forced Pearce out. I agree Ponga is a talented player (freakishly talented?) and the Knights badly need him on the field all season playing his best footy. I think the Knights have a 2 or 3 season window to win a premiership, given Pearce's age, etc, so yes it's possible Ponga could win a premiership with Newcastle. I also think if the side isn't in contention very soon, he'll get the wanderlust and some cashed up Club will make an offer the Knights won't be able to match - and not necessarily in the NRL either.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The coach sounds pretty optimistic by saying they have a top 4 roster. Frizell said he wanted to win a title and promptly bailed out of the Saints, he may as well move north now. The Eels are also making some pretty positive noises about their prospects. Hard to tell where it's all going to end up. The fate of the Knights and QLD appear to rest to a fair degree on Pongas shoulders, hope he like a bit of pressure , the talent is there.