Knight vision: Ponga locks in to chase premiership dream

Fresh from committing to Newcastle for at least another three years, Knights captain Kalyn Ponga looms as one of several stars likely to return against the Rabbitohs at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 9.

Ponga, who has not played since tearing his hamstring against Manly in Round 2, was one of nine top 30 Knights players unavailable for their 44-12 loss to Penrith in Newcastle on Sunday. 

But Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook indicated Ponga, left-edge partners Dylan Lucas (throat), Bradman Best (groin) and Greg Marzhew (concussion), and veteran forward Tyson Frizell (ribs), were all a chance of being available for the game against Souths. 

The Knights announced on Anzac Day that Ponga, who was already contracted until the end of 2027, has extended that commitment for at least three more years. 

Holbrook was excited and encouraged about the new deal that will keep their captain in Newcastle until the end of 2030, with the Knights holding an option for another two years. 

“We saw what we’re capable of, those first couple of games of the year when you’re at full strength... so to get him back on the field, and a host of others, is exactly what we need,” Holbrook said. 

“The effort was fine [against Penrith], but it’s the understanding of how to play the game, and individuals have got to play at their best at the moment.  

“We obviously know we’ve got some troops missing and we need to all be at our best and we weren’t there today, but from a coaching point of view, the boys tried so hard.

“But against the class of what we’re playing, you can’t give them that many opportunities and fumble your way."

Speaking to Fox Sports in the lead-up to kick-off against Penrith, Ponga revealed that the signing of Dylan Brown to a 10-year contract, reportedly worth $13 million, was one of the main reasons he decided to stay in Newcastle. 

“Why? This place is home to me, and I’ve said it from day one, I want to win a comp here,” Ponga told Fox Sports. 

“I think the addition of some players definitely gave me that confidence to stay. I mean, Dyl Brown being the big one, ‘Sharpey’ (Fletcher Sharpe), the way he’s progressed, and there’s a core of boys that have been here for two, three, four years. 

“I know they want to win and they’re hungry. We’ve got some young boys coming through, and the coaching staff, Justin Holbrook, the way he’s just changed our environment, I sort of rambled on a little bit there, but that’s a few reasons why.” 

Brown, only two games back from a knee injury he sustained against the Sea Eagles, will now get to play alongside Ponga for at least half of his 10-year tenure at the Knights. 

“We’re a team that’s better with him playing in it, so for another three years, on top of what he’s already here for, five years now, it’s some big news and I’m really happy for him,” Brown told NRL.com. 

“It’s something he’s definitely thought about for a long time. There’s things that he could obviously go to elsewhere, but it’s good to see that his heart lies here with Newcastle. 

“I don’t know if he’s back next week or the week after or whenever, but like I said, when he’s playing, everyone plays better around him.” 

On the morning of the game against the Panthers, at the club’s Centre of Excellence less than one kilometre from McDonald Jones Stadium, Brown noticed Ponga training alongside Lucas, Best and Marzhew as part of their recovery and rehabilitation program. 

“I’m not sure who’s back next week, if anyone is confirmed back, but of course, anyone that comes back from that group, it will be pretty good,” Brown said. 

“We were watching them today, actually, when we met up at the Centre of Excellence, the whole left edge was actually training. 

“It was a bit weird to see but it just shows there’s a lot of talent to come back.” 

Knights and New Zealand Test hooker Phoenix Crossland, a teammate of Ponga’s in Newcastle since 2019, described his retention as “massive” for the club, and the team. 

“First and foremost, Kalyn is one of my best mates so to see him for another three years, it’s outstanding,” Crossland said. 

“He’s our captain, he leads this club, and it’s good that he’s here for another three years. It’s really exciting.” 

In his first home game for Newcastle, Brown had few chances to shine in the first half as the Knights made too many handling errors to ask any serious questions of the Panthers. 

But he dummied and stepped into space to run away and score a 65-metre try in the 52nd minute, cutting Penrith’s lead to 30-12, and made a similar line break and long run a few minutes later but could not link up with Sharpe in support. 

“It was a big day, being Anzac [Round], but the big moments that we wanted to attack, we didn’t really ice them,” Brown said. 

“I felt like we played some good footy but in terms of moments and icing them – our errors and our completion rate – they were terrible. I think we handed the ball over on first tackle like six times, and it’s pretty hard to win when you’re doing that stuff.”