Official: Knights sign Kalyn Ponga on a 4 year deal

I thought Ponga was one of Cowboys best early in the year when he was playing in that injury depleted team. That sold me on him. With his youth and inexperience, there will certainly be some growing pains, but I think he has loads of potential and could develop into one of the class fullbacks in the game.
 
slotmachine said:
You blokes are kidding. The kid is 19 with 9 games of first grade and he's being written off.
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I personally think he will not live up to the unreal expectations people will have of him (short term), but I reckon he's going to provide us plenty of points. 2-3 years before he will be a solid week in week out player and that's the expectation we should have of him, your [emoji817]% right he's only 19.


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I've not seen enough of Ponga to have an opinion on him yet, but his NYC stats for try assists are what is most impressive I think. In 14 games he has 13 tries and 12 try assists - which is nearly a try and a try assist per game.
 
Billy said:
I've not seen enough of Ponga to have an opinion on him yet, but his NYC stats for try assists are what is most impressive I think. In 14 games he has 13 tries and 12 try assists - which is nearly a try and a try assist per game.
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He was the difference between us and the Cows early in the season. If he does that work for us I'll be happy


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slotmachine said:
You blokes are kidding. The kid is 19 with 9 games of first grade and he's being written off.
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Not so, think he is a huge talent, lots of potential, concerned that he lacks experience, yes 19, will take a year or two just thinking about next year. He is the least experienced of our signings in a position we lack depth.
 
Frank McWilliams said:
Not so, think he is a huge talent, lots of potential, concerned that he lacks experience, yes 19, will take a year or two just thinking about next year. He is the least experienced of our signings in a position we lack depth.
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Frank , no disrespect to anyone but from my observations over 40 years of playing, coaching and administrating ( I don't include many years of Refereeing in this) I have seen thousands of kids with potential get exposure at NRL level, it is only after they get through the 2nd year syndrome and then get through the rehab after their first big injury that I elevate them to a "real talent" status.

Unfortunately the NRL spits out anyone who isn't Physically, Mentally and Psychologically suited to its demands both on and off the field.
 
Seriously who is expecting him to be a seasoned first-grader the moment he walks in? I think everyone realizes he's going to need a need a year or 2 to find his feet, nobody is saying otherwise. My hope is that by the end of the season he will have built up enough confidence to call for the ball, taking ownership of the team alongside Levi, Lamb & Watson.
 
As I see it, Brown has a very tough decision to make to choose between Ross, Ponga and Meaney to start next year at fullback.
Ross will train his arse off to keep the spot, so Ponga and Meaney will both have to do very, very well to knock him off.
 
Billy said:
As I see it, Brown has a very tough decision to make to choose between Ross, Ponga and Meaney to start next year at fullback.
Ross will train his arse off to keep the spot, so Ponga and Meaney will both have to do very, very well to knock him off.
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Again Billy, I know you love the idea of a genuine equal competition for spots but we didn't buy Ponga for no reason. He will be given the season to develop. The only way he won't be given the 1 jersey straight up is if he gets hurt in pre-season or he's training absolutely shockingly enough for Brown to decide he has to start on the wing.
 
Joshhh said:
Again Billy, I know you love the idea of a genuine equal competition for spots but we didn't buy Ponga for no reason. He will be given the season to develop. The only way he won't be given the 1 jersey straight up is if he gets hurt in pre-season or he's training absolutely shockingly enough for Brown to decide he has to start on the wing.
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I keep reading that guys on here feel certain young recruits have been given firstgrade spots by Brown, and if it's true, Brown is an idiot and needs to be sacked.
Not that I think it is true.
The most he has promised young guys is they will train in those positions and have an opportunity in the trials.
 
Billy said:
I keep reading that guys on here feel certain young recruits have been given firstgrade spots by Brown, and if it's true, Brown is an idiot and needs to be sacked.
Not that I think it is true.
The most he has promised young guys is they will train in those positions and have an opportunity in the trials.
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Brown is an idiot that needs to be sacked if he bought Ponga & Watson on half a million year deals, lured away from their clubs for an NRL opportunity, only to put them in reserve grade or move them into positions they didn't come for. They weren't bought for no reason.
 
As much as I love Ross, and wanted him to get his shot at FB, he isn't one, and should return to the wing.

Ponga to start 2018 at FB and see if he can keep his spot.
 
As honourable as Billy's idea is, this is the NRL, not some equal rights participation company. A lot of factors go into picking a player besides form or training, one of the biggest being contract size. Ponga & Watson are not coming here on rookie contracts like Beau Henry, Kyle O'Donnell & Siuatonga Likiliki looking for a shot, they are coming here on full blown first-grader contracts where Brown has said your club is not giving you an NRL spot, I will.
 
Joshhh said:
As honourable as Billy's idea is, this is the NRL, not some equal rights participation company. A lot of factors go into picking a player besides form or training, one of the biggest being contract size. Ponga & Watson are not coming here on rookie contracts like Beau Henry, Kyle O'Donnell & Siuatonga Likiliki looking for a shot, they are coming here on full blown first-grader contracts where Brown has said your club is not giving you an NRL spot, I will.
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It isn't an equal rights participation company, which is why no one gets and no one expects a free shot at any position, or even selection - unless your name is Darius and your dad is coach.
Brown will pick his round one side based on how they go in training and trials.
If he doesn't, sack him immediately. He will have lost the respect of the playing group.
 
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