'I want to be there': Ponga ready to challenge Walsh as Maroons' No.1

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga is determined to pick up where he left off in club land next season and prove to Queensland coach Billy Slater that he deserves another crack at the Maroons No.1 jersey.

After concussion concerns restricted Ponga to just six NRL games before the Maroons squad was named, Slater encouraged him to sit out of this year’s series and the 25-year-old fullback was left to focus on his own form at the Knights.

And form he found, leading his men on a 10-game winning streak as they powered into week two of the finals and claiming the 2023 Dally M Medal.

Now as the proud Novocastrian looks towards 2024, Ponga said he is ready to challenge Reece Walsh for the Maroons' fullback spot.

"I want to play in that arena for sure," Ponga told media on Tuesday.

"But you've got to work hard to earn it, it's not just given.

“He (Walsh) definitely earned that jersey this year and played pretty well in it as well.

“I don’t go into the season thinking about that, obviously I want to play well at club land and hopefully that takes care of it, but I do want to be there."

While Ponga was seemingly content to sit out of this year's Origin series to ensure he could give his best to his club, the Knights skipper admitted he was disappointed to be overlooked by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga for the recent Pacific Championships.

"I was (disappointed), to be honest. Obviously playing at the highest level is a goal of mine and always will be," Ponga said.

"But in terms of saying that, no bad blood.

"I wasn't disappointed at Mal, I was just disappointed that I didn't make it.

“That team is elite, it’s going to be hard to make but hopefully I do get there.”

After their stunning mid-season turnaround, Ponga said pre-season vibes are high in the Hunter, particularly after hearing news of teammate Jacob Saifiti’s re-signing yesterday.

“He’s (Jacob) a huge part of this club and has been for many years and is a big part of the group we have now," he said.

“I think that locks in not only himself but other players as well, he’s a player that we all like to play alongside and he’s a player that we all like to play with.

“He leads with his actions, he doesn’t too much talking but when he does, we all listen and him and his brother up the front there. I know they’re at an age where they want to go beyond what they’ve done in the past.

“There’s a feel around the place that we got a taste last year but we want more…everyone’s energetic, everyone’s excited about working hard and for next year.”