Just last year Kalyn Ponga was the incumbent Queensland custodian, and plans could be said were made for him to get the best of fullback coaching from Queensland head coach Billy Slater.
Fast forward a year later, and Slater had to make one of the toughest calls of his initial years as a coach. The Queensland great opted to give 20-year-old Broncos fullback Reece Walsh his shot at the 1 jersey, something that sent shockwaves through the league community.
Many thought that Ponga deserved the fullback spot and believed he cemented his place in the side, through typical gutsy Queenslander performances in the last couple of years.
However, form and his experimental switch at Newcastle from fullback to five-eighth, compounded by a string of concession assessments, derailed Ponga’s Origin chances.
There was a new breed of fullback the Broncos were nurturing, from a club that produced fullback greats like Darren Lockyer, Karmichael Hunt, at some time Josh Hoffman, then another club legend Darius Boyd.
After experimenting with different fullbacks last season, Kevin Walters finally decided to give Reece Walsh a call and the rest has now amounted to his immense success with the club with form that’s pushed Brisbane’s drive for a premiership this year.
Walsh earned his selection for Queensland through hard work, commitment, and behind the scenes hard work to improve his game. Ponga, however, was a part of a million-dollar Knights extension contract saga, combined with a refusal to take up an offer by super coach Wayne Bennett, and to basically be under the influence of one of the game’s elite coaches.
Just imagine what could have been for Ponga.
We don’t have to imagine, though. Enter Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: initially a incumbent starter at the Cowboys at fullback, with the addition of Scott Drinkwater, the Hammer was granted a positional shift to the centres.
Ponga could have been Bennet’s first-choice fullback for the inaugural Dolphins and turning him down for a bigger slice of the pie in the Hunter.
He threw away his chance of basically ever having the best coaching and a pathway that would improve his form and see him probably have been Queensland’s number one choice this year.
Why this reporter states this opinion is due to the fact that Tabuai-Fidow has performed considerably well as a fullback with the Dolphins. His form earned him another selection headache for coach Billy Slater. Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Walsh fought hard and won their Queensland jerseys.
Ponga was seen as the face of Newcastle in his form days. His father, who is also part of Ponga’s management, could be forgiven for putting his family ahead of his own career development, something Kalyn should find motivation in to deliver those show-stopping, game-breaking performances we are always expecting from him.
mushi
Roar Guru
The positional switch is multi season. The fact fans are seeking a report card now suggests they don't deserve a decent team.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Agreed
Emcie
Roar Guru
I was more talking about positions then players, including 18th man (Brimson). It’s not like it’s fullback or nothing if you were desperate to fit ponga in the side
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Given how they used Walsh often as the last pass I don’t think a guy playing 6 would be unsuited to the role. Being a large risk of concussion would be a big factor in not picking the guy that was MOM in your last game.
Daniel Ealedona
Roar Rookie
Hunt's omission couldn't happen. His a part of the senior group of players teaching the younger stars the culture of Queensland. His performances at origin level and specs of brilliance at club level garanteed his selection. For hammer he wouldn't get omitted for Ponga. A guy called Dane Gegai was omitted for the Hammer. Bronson isn't even in the 17. Walsh earned the call up and is already getting on the good books of coach Slater.
Daniel Ealedona
Roar Rookie
Very true two world class fullbacks. Slater had the luxury of choice. However similar could be said to Filter and his spoilt choices for fullback, he stuck to his go to man which didn't see the results expected. Tedesco had 1 bad origin and one forgettable one. With respect to what his done for NSW and Australia. Is it the time for NSW to start looking at the future for its next number 1.
Daniel Ealedona
Roar Rookie
Accurate, however you can't deny Reece Walsh fought his way into the number 1 jumper. Ponga's concussion history is worrisome but can't be the only reason behind his omission. Compounding stats were stacked against the star fullback and it was the rational sense based on form, Queensland game tactics and on the simple yet under emphasized fact that Walsh meets the defence head-on compared to Ponga. Walsh is tough and his only 20 scary prospect there.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
He’s behind Tabui Fidow as well based on form this season
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Because the combined contracts of the Cowboys full back and 5/8 is less than what they would have need to pay Ponga Inc to stay in Townsville
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Newcastle offered him stupid money only two games into his NRL career. The Cowboys were trying to hold onto grand final winners.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Ponga would have thrived under Bennett. Don’t think he liked Bennett’s blunt way, Then he wouldn't have thrived. You have to buy into what the coach is doing if you want to thrive.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Not sure it would have made a difference with how slater’s been observing and picking players. If he desperately wanted Ponga in the side he could have squeezed him in somewhere, but it would seem he’s behind more then just Walsh at the moment. Holmes, Hammer, Brimson and potentially Hunt as a 14 all could’ve lost spots to him and one probably would have if it was selection by media like in NSW
Nat
Roar Guru
Not so sure about this. Ponga’s first commitment has to be to his club, even if he was on half the money. The positional switch is something the club has flirted with a few times, it deserved another shot in their eyes but backfired. He is still an elite FB and will get the chance to fight for the role next year. Walsh was very good in this series but who knows what Ponga could have brought. Billy is fortunate to have that luxury available to him.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The primary driver for Ponga’s omission was the risk of concussion. If he was on the park every game this year it would have been a different story. Seems to be an article ignoring that to try and blame something else.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Great player but for the coin he is on, and the salary cap position it puts the club in, Playing 15 games in 2021, 14 games in 2022 and only 10 from 17 this year is not viable long term. Reader & Bennett would not have bent to Andre Ponga's demands for Kaylan and himself.
Tetley
Roar Rookie
It’s all spilt milk under the bridge, but the Cowboys could have done a whole lot more to keep Ponga in Townsville. It wasn’t like he was an unknown quantity at the time. In fact, he was a red hot prospect. Never clear why they let him go.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Ponga would have thrived under Bennett. Don’t think he liked Bennett’s blunt way, and in my opinion he’s behind Walsh, in fact I wouldn’t drop Reece from the Maroons.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
No doubt to me that Ponga, by staying in Newcastle has jeopardised his career but if the bloke is happy there, genuinely loves the club then good on him