'I'm not done': Ponga determined to emulate Walsh's charge to premiership
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Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga has declared he has one more box to tick before his sensational finals form can truly be compared to Reece Walsh's stunning surge to the 2025 premiership.
The Brisbane fullback was the star of last year's post-season, Walsh orchestrating three-straight comebacks and winning the Clive Churchill Medal as the Broncos stunned Melbourne in the grand final.
This Reece Walsh performance will be remembered for a long time
Ponga has enjoyed a similar run this season as Newcastle has won three sudden-death finals to progress to Sunday night's decider against the Roosters.
The fullback's impressive form has led to comparisons with Walsh's 2025 finals performance but Ponga said they won't be complete without a grand final victory.
"It's a hard one to compare, I'm not done yet," Ponga said.
"He won it all. He won what we've all been chasing and he was a massive part in all of that.
"I'm not going to get ahead of myself. It's a team effort. I’m just playing my part in what we're doing. If you ask me this question next week and we've won, it might be different."
Match: Roosters v Knights
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The comparisons between Ponga and Walsh extend beyond their finals performances, with both men playmaking fullbacks who can create line breaks anywhere on the field.
Like the Broncos did last year, Newcastle effectively play with three halves as Ponga chimes into the attack on both edges.
The Queensland Origin teammates are also deceptively strong and have a unique mix of speed and strength that allows them to break tackles and pick apart tired defenders.
Kalyn Ponga: 'Connection to my heritage is strong'
Roosters prop Lindsay Collins has felt this both as an opponent and a teammate with the Maroons.
While he enjoys playing alongside Ponga during State of Origin, the veteran said the Roosters need to be alert every time the Newcastle fullback touches the ball on Sunday night.
"He's just a competitor," Collins said. "That's where it all starts. You can have all the talent, which he does, wanting to compete on every play, that's him.
"The competitiveness is the thing that brings out the best in him."
Like Walsh, Ponga burst on to the scene as a fresh-faced youngster with a rockstar personality. The fullback made his debut during the finals with the Cowboys in 2016 and was clearly destined for stardom.
Ponga joined the Knights in 2018, became captain in 2022 and won the Dally M in 2023 but it hasn't always been smooth sailing.
The 28-year-old has been criticised throughout his career for his attitude and admits it has taken time to develop into the leader he is today.
Holbrook on all-year belief and Ponga's leadership
His teammates, however, said Ponga's presence on the field gives them the confidence they need to be at their best.
"It will be really special to win for Kalyn," forward Mat Croker said. "I'm a really good mate of his so I know what he's like away from the field. Some people say he's a bit carefree but no one cares more than Kalyn.
"When he comes to training, he trains harder than anybody. He's as fit as anybody in the club, he works extremely hard on his body to keep himself on the field.
"When he has an off game he cops a fair bit of heat and I feel bad for him but the way he's turned the corner. You could see the emotions on Sunday, how much it meant to get his team into the grand final.
"He will fire this weekend. This is all he's every worked for, to get here so he'll be chomping at the bit."
After 4 weeks of thrilling finals, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 7.30pm Sunday night live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.
