Kalyn Ponga discussion

dexter said:
I would be trying to trade young for a first grade standard Hooker Turpin would do play ponga on wing can swap throughout game with miller and wouldn’t affect interchange if he gets his confidence back I would revert him back to fullback and miller on wing
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Seems a bit silly at first, but when you think about it, it may not be a bad idea.
Even if once confident he moves to fullback or 5/8.
I don't think it will happen though.

He definitely wouldn't do the hard carries from the back.
 
Much of a muchness IMO. He’s a real handbrake.

I mean it kind of says a lot if Billy Walters takes your jersey and your team immediately starts going better.

I’m not against aggressively going after a hooker. I just think we can do better.
 
Not going to bin the 6 experiment after his first full game he had a stinker but you got to give it 10 weeks at least because I think if it works as well as they hope then it's better for the team in the long run but think it's going to be hit and miss for a little while
 
I had a thought and wondered if it’s maybe a possibility… maybe not…

So I understand it really is still early days with this 5/8 experiment for Ponga. 4 or 5 games altogether? I was really really surprised to see him start actually considering how long he’s had off, he should have been on the bench or even given a game in NSW cup to build up his cardio and confidence, but here’s my theory.

What if Kalyn had given into the prospect of potentially having to retire? Yes he’s young and I’m sure he was scared but if you look at his marketability and following it’s not too much of a stretch for a young guy like him to have started to wonder what life would be like if he had to move on from the game.

Let’s say for the sake of this argument he had done that and possibly started to come round to the idea that maybe it‘ll be ok? I’m sure his possibilities for making more money and a bright future that didn’t entail getting bashed week in week out wasn’t such a bad idea for a young guy trying to wrap his head around his future. Perhaps the trip to Canada was the club desperately trying to figure out how he stays in the game but in the meantime he’s already wondering if it wouldn’t be so bad if he does get a bad diagnosis and leaves the game for bigger and brighter things? As if one of the TV networks wouldn’t be drooling to have him as an analyst or host.

Then he actually likes the idea and loses a bit of heart for the game, only to find out, “good news mate you are going back to the front line!”

Or

Maybe he just needs a bit more time and he will be the assassin the Knights hired to get the job done in no time and I’ve just been building scenarios in my head because I’m frightened and it’s lonely in there. 🤣
 
It won't happen, but I honestly think he should play NSW cup for a few weeks.
The reasoning would be to get fitness, confidence and master the position at an easier pace where he's not gonna get roasted for us losing.
If he sulks and wants to leave, then fine. But we aren't chipping in any money. You're not bigger than the team. If he rips in and works hard hell demand selection sooner than later. Let's see what he's made of.
 
KP has shown he has the attacking chops to get the job done.

He hasnt played hardly any time at 5/8 in d yet and given the whole squad was flat and had a shocker against Parra I'd be waiting a little before all this talk of the "experiment" not working, or coming up with conspiracy theories.

Lets wait and see what reaction the team has against the Titans.

Ill be looking for a team that is back showing the efforts we saw earlier in the year and then, see how kp looks in that environment.
 
I'm pretty certain he must have been sightly "timid" in D, going in for harder first contact. Fitness surely would be a factor too. He was injured for a that period in pre-season also.

Mitch Moses has his number. He ran around him in the trial also.

Anyway the 1.4 million dollar player needs time! Hope he improves soon.
 
Kurriboy said:
KP has shown he has the attacking chops to get the job done.

He hasnt played hardly any time at 5/8 in d yet and given the whole squad was flat and had a shocker against Parra I'd be waiting a little before all this talk of the "experiment" not working, or coming up with conspiracy theories.

Lets wait and see what reaction the team has against the Titans.

Ill be looking for a team that is back showing the efforts we saw earlier in the year and then, see how kp looks in that environment.
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his attack isnt in question, every team will direct there attack at him, wanna be a 5/8 defence is 50% of the game and from what ive seen he would struggle in park footy defending.
 
JOJO82 said:
I have suggested that time and time again yet for some reason doesn't get pushed out there.
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So they used to do that with Johnathan Thurston? Who else? Maybe in the game now that might not be simple to do. You would be "breaking" up the defensive structures.
 
In the very old days they used to play halfbacks as a 'second line' of defence. Basically they'd stay 10 metres behind the defensive line and try to read where line breaks were going to happen and try to tackle anyone who made a line break from the side or behind.
Stops you having a weak defender in the line for forwards to run at and gives you some cover defence other than just the fullback.
I'm sure there's a reason they stopped doing that in the days of Peter Sterling and Steve Mortimer, but it seemed to work in those days.
 
frankLauda said:
So they used to do that with Johnathan Thurston? Who else? Maybe in the game now that might not be simple to do. You would be "breaking" up the defensive structures.
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Then it's quite simple, he either picks up his defensive game or simply has no place in the team ....hate the fact he is the highest paid player so basically is exempt from getting dropped.
 
I’d defend KP next to Frizell. Moving a fullback to the halves generally works when they’ve got a really gun second rower next to them. I don’t mind fitz but he is not that. Friz could really help Ponga defend and also could be an asset in attack next to him.
 
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Billy said:
In the very old days they used to play halfbacks as a 'second line' of defence. Basically they'd stay 10 metres behind the defensive line and try to read where line breaks were going to happen and try to tackle anyone who made a line break from the side or behind.
Stops you having a weak defender in the line for forwards to run at and gives you some cover defence other than just the fullback.
I'm sure there's a reason they stopped doing that in the days of Peter Sterling and Steve Mortimer, but it seemed to work in those days.
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Sterlo (and his look-a-like Paul 'Squizzy' Taylor) were both capable of tackling in the front line of defence and Taylor was capable of racking up 40 or 50 tackles in a game, when he played in the line...but he did also play fullback for a period of time at Parramatta. Turvey was definitely your more classic cover defending half
 
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