Kalyn Ponga discussion

[jamesgould]

I don't think the problems with Ponga were ever better illustrated than that first Origin, Queensland were within striking distance in the second half with multiple attacking sets on NSW's line, and he just sat parked out there on the left and didn't touch the ball. For the highest player in the game, even if he isn't a high workrate player, he needs to be in there touching the ball and influencing the result at that moment. He needs to be way more adaptable than that for the amount he is paid. As others have said, his game has totally stopped progressing.

 

[jamesgould]

I think that was Bennett's pitch to him when he was trying to lure him to the Dolphins.

Something like stay here and be comfortable, or come to the Dolphins and push yourself.

I thought Bennett hit the nail on the head with that.

Thought it was a load of nonsense from Bennett. Ponga won the Dally M the next season with the best football he's ever played.

You don't have to change clubs to push yourself.

 

[BETTERTHANLEGO]

I agree, arguably he is pushing himself more by staying in the fishbowl that is Newcastle essentially a one town team where everything is under the microscope.

 

[listo]

I agree, arguably he is pushing himself more by staying in the fishbowl that is Newcastle essentially a one town team where everything is under the microscope.

Or stay here and do **** all, just chime in every now and again in between naps and have everyone singing your praises. “How good was that play by Pong Pong in the 29th minute where he beat 2 defenders and passed the ball” .
It’s like the hot chic at the pub with all her fat ugly mates. She looks even better then.

 

[Sarge]

I agree, arguably he is pushing himself more by staying in the fishbowl that is Newcastle essentially a one town team where everything is under the microscope.

That's why have been saying Brown doesn't know what he is walking into . Welcome to the goldfish bowl . If he buys at Merewether , which is highly likely . Will be worse !

 

[Celticman98]

I think that was Bennett's pitch to him when he was trying to lure him to the Dolphins.

Something like stay here and be comfortable, or come to the Dolphins and push yourself.

I thought Bennett hit the nail on the head with that.

KP made the correct decision not to go.

Ponga hasn't lost to the Dolphins in his career. He didn't play Round 3 2023.

 

[Kurriboy]

KP made the correct decision not to go.

Ponga hasn't lost to the Dolphins in his career. He didn't play Round 3 2023.

Interesting take tbh.

You just can't argue points like this as you can't view the alternate reality of where Ponga did join the Dolphins and how they would have gone, how we would have gone without him. Arguing we beat the Dolphins with Ponga so Ponga made the right call to stay is just a strange view.

Anyway, the point I was making is, KP could stay here in Newcastle, effectively just be lauded by the Knights fans and town etc, or he could go to the Dolphins and look to push his career, push his skills, develop to his best version.

No, you don't have to change clubs to push yourself clearly!

But who thinks Ponga here, has become as good a player as his skills would allow him to be? How many of the NRL believe Ponga is over rated and not worth his contract? Hell, how many Knights fans believe this also.

 

[Celticman98]

Interesting take tbh.

You just can't argue points like this as you can't view the alternate reality of where Ponga did join the Dolphins and how they would have gone, how we would have gone without him. Arguing we beat the Dolphins with Ponga so Ponga made the right call to stay is just a strange view.

Anyway, the point I was making is, KP could stay here in Newcastle, effectively just be lauded by the Knights fans and town etc, or he could go to the Dolphins and look to push his career, push his skills, develop to his best version.

No, you don't have to change clubs to push yourself clearly!

But who thinks Ponga here, has become as good a player as his skills would allow him to be? How many of the NRL believe Ponga is over rated and not worth his contract? Hell, how many Knights fans believe this also.

Dolphins wouldn't have been a good fit for Ponga.

Sure Ponga is one of most talented footballers going around but they needed start off to getting blokes who have been in premiership winning sides eg Bromwich bros and Kaufusi to get them going.

KP ironically in 2023 (Phins first year had his best season ever and got the Dally M. He wouldn't have won that up there. Also I don't think Bennett really wanted him. He was more desperate for Munster.

I do think Ponga will end up leaving the Knights more I think about it whether it's at the end of this of next year.

 

[BETTERTHANLEGO]

I think the dolphins would be stoked how it turned out the hammer Herbie averillo fuller they are stacked with people fit and skilled enough to play fullback at a high click

 

[EASBay17]

I don't think the problems with Ponga were ever better illustrated than that first Origin, Queensland were within striking distance in the second half with multiple attacking sets on NSW's line, and he just sat parked out there on the left and didn't touch the ball. For the highest player in the game, even if he isn't a high workrate player, he needs to be in there touching the ball and influencing the result at that moment. He needs to be way more adaptable than that for the amount he is paid. As others have said, his game has totally stopped progressing.

This shows its not just "aob cant coach" when you have slater using him in the same way. I think we all agree that the type of fullback we want/need is a sharpe type fullback, high energy , high work rate and hanging off every half break.

 

[Chaister]

I don't think the problems with Ponga were ever better illustrated than that first Origin, Queensland were within striking distance in the second half with multiple attacking sets on NSW's line, and he just sat parked out there on the left and didn't touch the ball. For the highest player in the game, even if he isn't a high workrate player, he needs to be in there touching the ball and influencing the result at that moment. He needs to be way more adaptable than that for the amount he is paid. As others have said, his game has totally stopped progressing.

I think this comes down to his demeanour a bit too. It’s one thing to say the Knights and QLD don’t know how to use him to get him into the game, but sometimes the player needs to speak up about how they like to get the ball and where. I get the impression Ponga is a bit more of a “passive” guy and is more comfortable sitting back and waiting for the halves to go his way rather than demanding he get the ball in certain situations. The left is obviously his preference but if he keeps just parking himself out there it gets predictable and easy to read.

 

[Kurriboy]

My view is the Knights are a professional sporting organisation playing at the top level of the top competition in the world for this sport. Coaching staff and performance staff up the wazoo and every aspect of a players game would be scrutinised to utilise them to their peak.

If Ponga is bludging, just hanging out on the left, walking around aimlessly behind the ruck etc etc, coaching staff would be seeing all this. It's not like they just go, try a little harder can you KP. It's up to the coaching staff to enable the team to play their best, unlocking our attacking weapons.

I don't think the team overall plays to it's potential as a team, our attack is poor, our defence is solid though, which shows the attitude is there, but with ball in hand we are rudderless. We play such a bland style of footy that no wonder our strike power is not utilised well.

One of the things Ponga relies on is getting the defence back pedaling, getting that advantage with a defence that is in a bit of a panic state. He exploits that well. Another is getting on the end of quality block plays to exploit some defensive reads, overlaps etc. This is one aspect of the game we are not up to NRL standard at. Our ball movement is pedestrian, virtually no decoy runners and those that are, are obviously not running full pace and clearly not going to get the ball. This is far too easy for defences to read and slide, destroying any chance of exploiting any overlap or misread in D. Often ending in desperate play to the winger under pressure who makes an error, ends up in touch etc.

I really do wonder what the plan is when Brown arrives next year because he is walking in to an NRL team that simply does not get our attacking players quality chances.

I do note though, of recent times, we are now spreading the ball more on play 3-5 which is paying some dividends.

Ponga in the Knights is like sticking a Ferrari engine in a Datsun 108b and saying, why aren't you winning Le Mans.

 

[jamesgould]

My view is the Knights are a professional sporting organisation playing at the top level of the top competition in the world for this sport. Coaching staff and performance staff up the wazoo and every aspect of a players game would be scrutinised to utilise them to their peak.

If Ponga is bludging, just hanging out on the left, walking around aimlessly behind the ruck etc etc, coaching staff would be seeing all this. It's not like they just go, try a little harder can you KP. It's up to the coaching staff to enable the team to play their best, unlocking our attacking weapons.

I don't think the team overall plays to it's potential as a team, our attack is poor, our defence is solid though, which shows the attitude is there, but with ball in hand we are rudderless. We play such a bland style of footy that no wonder our strike power is not utilised well.

One of the things Ponga relies on is getting the defence back pedaling, getting that advantage with a defence that is in a bit of a panic state. He exploits that well. Another is getting on the end of quality block plays to exploit some defensive reads, overlaps etc. This is one aspect of the game we are not up to NRL standard at. Our ball movement is pedestrian, virtually no decoy runners and those that are, are obviously not running full pace and clearly not going to get the ball. This is far too easy for defences to read and slide, destroying any chance of exploiting any overlap or misread in D. Often ending in desperate play to the winger under pressure who makes an error, ends up in touch etc.

I really do wonder what the plan is when Brown arrives next year because he is walking in to an NRL team that simply does not get our attacking players quality chances.

I do note though, of recent times, we are now spreading the ball more on play 3-5 which is paying some dividends.

Ponga in the Knights is like sticking a Ferrari engine in a Datsun 108b and saying, why aren't you winning Le Mans.

Truth to all that!

 

[Grandpa Joe]

Exactly. He was playing with a spine of Grant, Munster and DCE/Dearden in SOO and still struggling.

Even before getting injured, you tell his body was at 50%.

 

[EASBay17]

My view is the Knights are a professional sporting organisation playing at the top level of the top competition in the world for this sport. Coaching staff and performance staff up the wazoo and every aspect of a players game would be scrutinised to utilise them to their peak.

If Ponga is bludging, just hanging out on the left, walking around aimlessly behind the ruck etc etc, coaching staff would be seeing all this. It's not like they just go, try a little harder can you KP. It's up to the coaching staff to enable the team to play their best, unlocking our attacking weapons.

I don't think the team overall plays to it's potential as a team, our attack is poor, our defence is solid though, which shows the attitude is there, but with ball in hand we are rudderless. We play such a bland style of footy that no wonder our strike power is not utilised well.

One of the things Ponga relies on is getting the defence back pedaling, getting that advantage with a defence that is in a bit of a panic state. He exploits that well. Another is getting on the end of quality block plays to exploit some defensive reads, overlaps etc. This is one aspect of the game we are not up to NRL standard at. Our ball movement is pedestrian, virtually no decoy runners and those that are, are obviously not running full pace and clearly not going to get the ball. This is far too easy for defences to read and slide, destroying any chance of exploiting any overlap or misread in D. Often ending in desperate play to the winger under pressure who makes an error, ends up in touch etc.

I really do wonder what the plan is when Brown arrives next year because he is walking in to an NRL team that simply does not get our attacking players quality chances.

I do note though, of recent times, we are now spreading the ball more on play 3-5 which is paying some dividends.

Ponga in the Knights is like sticking a Ferrari engine in a Datsun 108b and saying, why aren't you winning Le Mans.

You make good point re back peddling defenses, is it a coincidence kps worst season coincides with us having a beaten/inexperienced pack each week?Unless we sort our middles for next yr, this whole 2 running halves philosophy is going to be a massive failure.

 

[Defence wins games]

My view is the Knights are a professional sporting organisation playing at the top level of the top competition in the world for this sport. Coaching staff and performance staff up the wazoo and every aspect of a players game would be scrutinised to utilise them to their peak.

If Ponga is bludging, just hanging out on the left, walking around aimlessly behind the ruck etc etc, coaching staff would be seeing all this. It's not like they just go, try a little harder can you KP. It's up to the coaching staff to enable the team to play their best, unlocking our attacking weapons.

I don't think the team overall plays to it's potential as a team, our attack is poor, our defence is solid though, which shows the attitude is there, but with ball in hand we are rudderless. We play such a bland style of footy that no wonder our strike power is not utilised well.

One of the things Ponga relies on is getting the defence back pedaling, getting that advantage with a defence that is in a bit of a panic state. He exploits that well. Another is getting on the end of quality block plays to exploit some defensive reads, overlaps etc. This is one aspect of the game we are not up to NRL standard at. Our ball movement is pedestrian, virtually no decoy runners and those that are, are obviously not running full pace and clearly not going to get the ball. This is far too easy for defences to read and slide, destroying any chance of exploiting any overlap or misread in D. Often ending in desperate play to the winger under pressure who makes an error, ends up in touch etc.

I really do wonder what the plan is when Brown arrives next year because he is walking in to an NRL team that simply does not get our attacking players quality chances.

I do note though, of recent times, we are now spreading the ball more on play 3-5 which is paying some dividends.

Ponga in the Knights is like sticking a Ferrari engine in a Datsun 108b and saying, why aren't you winning Le Mans.

Wow, that is so well written and sums up what is happening at the Knights in a very balanced way.
The only thing I would question is that, at some points in time, the actions of the Knights administration seems to border on lunacy, and brings the point of “professional organisation” into question.

 

[Seano]

It will be interesting to see what KP does.

Can't go to the Bears in 2027 without a release from the Knights. But if he does get one and goes to Perth, he probably retires a rich young man but with no rings.

Stay with the Knights and hope a premiership window opens 2027-2030?

Or try to get traded to a team that might have a more defined premiership window?

Or try to get a release to go to English rugby and be selected for the Kiwis for the World Cup?

 

[Les Misérables]

Wow, that is so well written and sums up what is happening at the Knights in a very balanced way.
The only thing I would question is that, at some points in time, the actions of the Knights administration seems to border on lunacy, and brings the point of “professional organisation” into question.

My sense is that they err on the side of caution, they're sensitive to risk of destabilising decisions, such as changing the coach. And most of the difficult to understand practices are downstream from that.

The club is happy to spend money on bringing the right people to the club i.e. POS.

 

[bremsstrahlung]

Actually think the Rugby/All Blacks option would be the most tempting. No assurances for selection. But $2M on offer (reportedly, but even at $1.5M) and a shot at All Blacks World Cup in Australia. That could go some way to increasing his stocks if he wants to return to NRL in 2028.

Or, gamble it on next years performance.
If he plays like 2025, I’m not convinced anyone comes in to offer over a million. We may not even be interested in extending him - something unfathomable But, play well, come November he can seal his next move.

I’m not overly convinced he lives and breaths league like a lot of players. Which is fine. He doesn’t have to.
He’s won a Dally M and played origin which are some real bucket list achievements.
He’s missing a premiership ring. But aside from that, there’s not much left to achieve. Aside from legacy - which I’m not sure he’s too fussed on.

From a Knights perspective - I think any options are workable, which is nice.

 

[Les Misérables]

We're not going to win anything with AOB here. Pretty straightforward and non-continuous statement.

If Ponga wants AOB as coach then Ponga can **** off to Rugby tomorrow. Sharpe is a better fullback.