He could be the game’s first $1.5 million man, but Kalyn Ponga is as down to earth as they get.
When it comes to Ponga, speculation around his future is rife.
Will he active a clause in his contract to forgo the remaining two-years he has in Newcastle to chase a big money deal with the Dolphins? Or will he stay at the Knights?
While his contract status dominates conversation, the superstar fullback spent his day off giving back.
During a time where the NRL has been overrun by headlines of money grabs, anti vaxxers and white powder scandals, Ponga spent his one day off during this pre-season block, making a memory of a lifetime for young fan, Kaiden.
(APC Prosthetics Facebook)
The youngster was at the APC Hunter Clinic in Charlestown, to be fitted with his prosthetic leg.
The fibre glass leg features a photo of Ponga, along with a Spider-Man and Knights logo.
After beating Ponga in a running race, the amputee was given a signed match worn jersey from his idol.
To top off the meeting, the little fella has been invited to meet the team in the sheds after the first home game of the 2022 season.
It needs to be said that Ponga wouldn’t want this story written but it’s important it’s told.
Your writer knows Ponga well and can confirm this kind of good deed is not a one off. Far from it.
Having worked with Ponga at the Knights as Media Manager for three seasons, I watched the young gun often take the initiative of visiting kids who reached out via teachers or parents.
(APC Prosthetics Facebook)
Whenever the club learned of such a gesture and approached Ponga about publicising the meeting, those suggestions were always met with resistance.
Too often these days any charitable action or initiative is accompanied by a media alert but Ponga is different. He doesn’t crave the attention. He does it because it’s the right thing to do and he enjoys giving back.
No media invitation, just staff, family and Ponga. In fact, it was a post from the family and APC that highlighted the lovely gesture.
As the NRL’s newest franchise, the Dolphins, continue to make signings, Ponga’s name will be part of the contract circus that the NRL thrives on. Reporting on player movement is important but so is this story.
Finch an open book on drug use
A raw Brett Finch has opened the lid on his battle with drugs in a powerful podcast interview.
Speaking about his lowest moment, Finch recalled a time when he called in sick to his job as a radio broadcaster in order to go an all-day bender.
His lie was uncovered and when he got home, his wife had left him.
“I get home and she (my wife) is gone and stood down from both jobs and I go to my account,” Finch told the Turn Up The Talk podcast.
“And I’ve got like minus $10. 18 months earlier, I had hundreds of thousands of dollars. And my first thought is where can I pick up. Where can I get another one from? It’s taken everything from me but I still want another one. It’s just ridiculous.”
It was an open and honest interview from Finch and can be found here.
No move for Mitchell
Earlier in the week, Latrell Mitchell teased a potential positional switch from fullback in order to allow Blake Taaffe to continue his development in the No.1.
Take it as read – that will not be happening. Mitchell will be South Sydney’s fullback in 2022.
Storm keen to see their fans
Melbourne is hosting an open training session on 21 December at John Ilhan Memorial Reserve in Broadmeadows from 9am for their members and fans. After being on the road for the best part of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club is looking to give the public an opportunity to rub shoulders with their stars and new recruits.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It seems he has bigger issues now
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Sydney is a much bigger league market so can’t blame NRL playing the all stars game there but no round 1 home game for storm is pretty poor
Rob
Guest
Sadly Thurston and Ponga are polar opposite characters but that’s not how legends are made.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Yes mate. Actually speaking of Shakespeare, apparently he created over 1700 new words among which are critic, dwindle, lonely, and skim-milk. I was seeing a woman a couple of years ago who was a retired Professor of English. She told me that. I was impressed.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Personally thought it was a fine piece of experiential writing HY.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
TB you are an example for me to aspire to. You have exercised great restraint. I'll deal with the Bard later.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'm willing to be corrected and you have looked deeper than I into the issue. If the results from the survey are simplistic, then fair enough but there is no doubt many in this country have a drinking problem and Brett Finch spoke about how he and his mates had a view that you couldn't trust a non-drinker. He now thinks differently but it highlights how ludicrous some notions are in relation to drinking in this country.
The Barry
Roar Guru
“I would appreciate if the dumb kiddies would cease making up names for things” - sorry Mick, I must have understood your opening sentence…
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Well, I am grateful for your translation, limited as it is. I know not to bother watching an account of no interest. On your next point, read more carefully - I did not seek that from the kiddies. One of 'em posted just above, it was unintelligible yet I was interested, then, to understand it. I see that was a waste of time.
mushi
Roar Guru
Please tell me you aren't forming your views of social policy based on talk back radio highlighting a tabloid article which had a narrow survey. On actual consumption and alcoholism metrics it miles off. It also only took in 22 countries in the world. Plus the they highlight the survey isn't valid because the different covid measures would naturally influence what they're testing (how often someone got drunk). These types of narrow surveys are typically a propaganda tool.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I suppose the experts are working out ways to counter the perilous risk-taking of the young but it's not an easy task. Hopefully, education and testimonies from those who gambled and all the rest can help.
mushi
Roar Guru
The part of your brain which assess these risks doesn't fully form until your mid twenties. That's before all the environmental factors.
Paul
Roar Guru
and as a result of it not being clickworthy, the general public gets an impression that rugby league is all abut young fellas with way too much money doing all sorts of bad things, when they're in a very small minority.
The Barry
Roar Guru
In an article and podcast about drug and alcohol use/abuse, it only takes a little bit of imagination to understand the terms, even if you’re not familiar with them… I don’t think you’ll get much joy encouraging “kiddies” not to come up with their own terminology or slang
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, it’s a shame these sorts of acts don’t get a bit more publicity… players and clubs do a lot of this sort of work but don’t get much credit for it. Unfortunately it’s largely not seen as news/click worthy
The Barry
Roar Guru
Funny how the people who proclaim they’ve never touched drugs also appear to be the subject matter experts…
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I don't believe in the grace of God but I do believe in misfortune which can hit anyone at any time. Misfortune is a different thing from making really bad choices. I have no interest in the ridiculous idea that ''everything happens for a reason''. We're in a magnificent country and very lucky. Many people have terrible luck and can't avoid the problems they have, the rest need to pull their heads in. I heard on the radio during the week that we are now the worlds biggest drinkers , to add to being the worlds biggest gamblers and biggest takers of Cocaine and ''god'' knows what else. To pretend this isn't a choice would be telling porkies.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Well that Finch interview was pretty amazing and I’m glad he’s being open about it. It sounds like he’s still got a way to go but I’m stoked that he’s trying to help others and himself. If a web cast is gonna be a great initiative then that’s the one I want to support.
Redcap
Roar Guru
A lovely thing for Ponga to do. He seems like a really nice chap. I'm not too sure about the headline for this piece. "Incredible." Really? The author himself says this is the sort of thing Ponga does from time-to-time, so it's hardly incredible. Kind and laudable seem more apt.
Malo
Guest
Didn’t the All Blacks want him. Give me Tedesco, Gutherson or Pappy any day over Ponga.