Kalyn Ponga discussion

Les Misérables said:
He's struggled at times to live up to 'the highest paid player in the game' tag because his halves have had access to the DSP. If he were playing inside FG standard halves, we'd be getting serious value for money imo
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Won the Dally M in 2023, and would have won in 2018 if not for injury. KP has demonstrated that he can be the best player in the game.

I think the broader frustration comes both from the fact he hasn't followed the improvement trajectory hinted at after 2018 (i.e. potentially the best player ever), and that the club hasn't been more successful in recent years. On the former, honestly, it just is what it is - raised expectations often lead to disappointment, and he is inarguably an elite weapon. If he started slower and got to where he is now, people would be less upset just because the trajectory was different.

On the latter - of course if we could 'moneyball' his salary into the most efficient use of the $1.4m we would be better off. But that isn't how the league works. You can't just look at contracts and pick the best ones to replace his money. We'd actually use it to overpay middle forwards that don't add huge value (a couple more Jack Hetheringtons), and top up players already on the roster.

I get the arguments that Walsh has surpassed Ponga - and, reluctantly, I think they're right. But one of the things Brisbane GF run just demonstrated is the value of having a bloke who can just be transcendent on any given day. There aren't that many of those blokes in the comp. We have one. Lets hope we keep him, and the new halves partnership provides him the opportunity for transcendence.
 
MontyBrogan said:
Won the Dally M in 2023, and would have won in 2018 if not for injury. KP has demonstrated that he can be the best player in the game.

I think the broader frustration comes both from the fact he hasn't followed the improvement trajectory hinted at after 2018 (i.e. potentially the best player ever), and that the club hasn't been more successful in recent years. On the former, honestly, it just is what it is - raised expectations often lead to disappointment, and he is inarguably an elite weapon. If he started slower and got to where he is now, people would be less upset just because the trajectory was different.

On the latter - of course if we could 'moneyball' his salary into the most efficient use of the $1.4m we would be better off. But that isn't how the league works. You can't just look at contracts and pick the best ones to replace his money. We'd actually use it to overpay middle forwards that don't add huge value (a couple more Jack Hetheringtons), and top up players already on the roster.

I get the arguments that Walsh has surpassed Ponga - and, reluctantly, I think they're right. But one of the things Brisbane GF run just demonstrated is the value of having a bloke who can just be transcendent on any given day. There aren't that many of those blokes in the comp. We have one. Lets hope we keep him, and the new halves partnership provides him the opportunity for transcendence.
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Well said Monty, well bloody said!

The matter of the fact is when Ponga is at his best he's right up there with the best, no denying it. This relies on a few things; fitness, squad and coaching, 2 of which have changed, time to be optimistic and look forward to the future. Tell me if Walsh, Teddy or Turbo would be potent with the halves inside him of Hastings, Gamble or Cogger like KP has had for the past few years. Matter of the fact is this man has saved us from looking like complete **** to looking like an average NRL side at times, lets hope this turns around over the next two seasons as I don't see us releasing him early because there aint no way we are getting anything of value with his money if he leaves before 26 or 27.
 
Les Misérables said:
He's struggled at times to live up to 'the highest paid player in the game' tag because his halves have had access to the DSP. If he were playing inside FG standard halves, we'd be getting serious value for money imo
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I don't disagree with this, but I was just making a point that he is injury prone and for a fullback he doesn't do the basics.

That could be because feels as though he needs to create something because our halves have been rubbish, but he just needs to play like he did ij his first season with us.
 
Could’ve just said they were **** players or halves (or whatever you were getting at) rather than that they access governmental assistance for a disability.

And regarding kalyn it’s in his hands can’t say that he doesn’t have the cattle any more.
 
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Kurriboy said:
Michael Chammas running the story now that Ponga wants out, he guarantees Ponga wants to explore other options.

I wonder if Ponga was with the Roosters, or Penrith etc if we see these stories at all.
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Didn’t he post this rubbish during the backend of the season. Ponga debunked it, then Chammas was bitter and said something like ‘wah wah wah’ ‘why is he wasting his time at Newcastle instead of going to my beloved Roosters’

Idiot

Then there was ‘that photo’ on ‘transfer whispers’ when people called out the person who took it and provided it to Foxsports knowing full well who it was and it wasn’t had nothing to do with any sort of secret meeting Ponga was having

Chammas would have 100% linked that to it and the idiot looked like a fool yet again
 
We are not the only ones you have the ****s with the media about Ponga speculations.
 

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I couldn't read the whole thing, but it is about his frustration over the endless contract speculation he has faced. Says he is focussed on the new beginning at the Knights.
 
Joey1245 said:
Has anyone read the Dt article today?
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No.
Is he going to play golf?
Is he becoming a photographer?
Is he joining the All Blacks?
Is he starting his own brand of spaghetti sauce?
Is he joining the priesthood?
Has the mafia put a contract on him?
Fighting for the world chicken weight title?
Releasing his first rap album?
Releasing his first country album?
 
Billy said:
No.
Is he going to play golf?
Is he becoming a photographer?
Is he joining the All Blacks?
Is he starting his own brand of spaghetti sauce?
Is he joining the priesthood?
Has the mafia put a contract on him?
Fighting for the world chicken weight title?
Releasing his first rap album?
Releasing his first country album?
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Ponga sauce?
 
Billy said:
No.
Is he going to play golf?
Is he becoming a photographer?
Is he joining the All Blacks?
Is he starting his own brand of spaghetti sauce?
Is he joining the priesthood?
Has the mafia put a contract on him?
Fighting for the world chicken weight title?
Releasing his first rap album?
Releasing his first country album?
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Yes Billy, you’re right.
There has been enormous speculation about him leaving the Knights, including from here on the forum. He has never said he is leaving, for the ten thousandth time!
I get his frustration, he must be developing a phobia about the speculation.
Just let him train, play and live in Newcastle and leave the speculation outside.
He is one of our best players and we need him in the team if we are to reach the promised land.
 
Billy said:
No.
Is he going to play golf?
Is he becoming a photographer?
Is he joining the All Blacks?
Is he starting his own brand of spaghetti sauce?
Is he joining the priesthood?
Has the mafia put a contract on him?
Fighting for the world chicken weight title?
Releasing his first rap album?
Releasing his first country album?
Click to expand...
**** I laughed at country album!

Pretty much saying he is frustrated that he has to keep putting this chat to bed! He is committed to the knights and is excited to play with brown and smith
 
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