Ponga

Is Ponga giving Knights value for money? Heat on Griffin after Dragons’ horror run: Jimmy Brings

But the bigger question Ponga is still yet to answer is are the Knights really getting value for money out of one of the NRL’s most naturally gifted players?

When Ponga inked what was supposedly a four-year deal worth $4.4 million in July of 2020 the view was Newcastle were a club on the rise and Ponga was the untapped superstar talent to take them to the next level.

The reality is it was only a two-year deal with options in Ponga’s favour for 2023 and 2024 which is simply poor management from Newcastle CEO Phil Gardener.

Ponga opens up on ‘awesome’ relationship with Joey that could swing big contract call

Ponga must decide by Round 12 whether to trigger an option in his favour at the Knights for the 2023 season.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins where he could become the highest-paid player in the game earning close to $1.5 million per season.

Ponga hasn’t made a decision and told foxsports.com.au his focus for now is on honing his craft under Johns.

The NRL immortal has returned to Newcastle in a coaching capacity, 15 years after finishing his illustrious career at the club.

No Wighton, Ponga: All Stars game suffers blow as more stars pull out

Maori All Star players Kalyn Ponga, Jarome Luai, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Corey Harawira-Naera will join Indigenous duo Cody Walker and Jack Wighton in missing the game.

With COVID having swept through most clubs and a number of players well behind schedule in terms of pre-season some of the draw card players will be unavailable.

The good news is Gold Coast Titans X-factor David Fifita will feature in the Indigenous side with coach Laurie Daley’s team also set to field the electric wing combination of Josh Addo-Carr and Jason Saab.

‘I want to play fullback’; Ponga’s sit down with Knights coach — Off-season Central

It has been speculated that Ponga could move into the halves to replace the outgoing Mitchell Pearce, but on his first day back to Newcastle’s pre-season training the superstar sat down with coach Adam O’Brien and informed him he wanted to stay at fullback.

A genuine attacking threat, Ponga has been touted for a move into the halves for years and with the Knights lack of spine options it seemed inevitable.

Ponga’s Big Dolphins Opportunity

News Corp journalist Phil Rothfield believes the club, led by veteran coach Wayne Bennett, have picked Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga as their big-fish signing.

The 23-year-old is signed until the end of 2022 and then has an option in his favour for 2023 and 2024.

Rothfield told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfastthat the Dolphins are considering offering Ponga a “ridiculous” salary to try and lure him to the club.