As the NRL finals approach, Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga finds himself in a familiar yet thrilling position: returning to the scene of his debut. This Saturday night, Ponga and his team will face the North Queensland Cowboys in a sudden-death finals match in Townsville, a venue where he first showcased his skills during a semi-final triumph in 2016.
Ponga, a former Cowboys player, has paid tribute to NRL legends like Johnathan Thurston, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned from playing alongside such greats. Reflecting on his first finals experience, Ponga recalls being an 18-year-old with little understanding of the significance of the occasion. “It all happened very quick,” he said. “I was a young 18-year-old with no idea what was really going on… I was lucky to have some good leaders at the time, obviously JT, Michael Morgan, and others. It was probably one of my favourite experiences.”
The Knights enter this finals clash as underdogs against the Cowboys, who recently delivered a resounding 44-6 victory over Canterbury, securing fifth place on the ladder. However, Ponga’s team faces additional challenges with the news that representative centre Bradman Best has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. This setback amplifies the pressure on Ponga, the reigning Dally M Medallist, who has been instrumental in guiding the Knights back to the finals.
Despite the adversity, Ponga’s remarkable performance in the final weeks of the regular season has reignited hope for Newcastle fans. After recovering from a Lisfranc injury earlier in the year, he returned to the field with a renewed mindset. “Coming back from my injury, I sort of felt like I had a point to prove,” Ponga remarked. “I want to be the best version of myself… Once I’m on the field, I want to showcase that.”
Last season, Ponga led the Knights on a 10-game winning streak after overcoming a serious concussion, culminating in a playoff appearance. This year, despite a challenging start that saw Newcastle languishing in 15th place, his return has sparked a resurgence. The Knights managed to secure their playoff spot in the final match of the regular season, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Ponga’s leadership and skill have been pivotal in this turnaround. “We’ve seemed to put it together at the right time over the last three, four, five weeks… I think we’ve just stuck at what we thought was happening,” he explained.
The Knights’ last encounter with the Cowboys saw them narrowly lose by one point in Townsville. However, armed with a three-game winning streak, they are determined to turn the tide this time around. Ponga’s journey from rookie to star has not only shaped his own career but has also inspired his teammates to believe in their potential as finals contenders.
As the countdown to the match begins, all eyes will be on Kalyn Ponga—Newcastle’s beacon of hope—as he aims to lead his team into the next round of the NRL finals. The stakes are high, but with Ponga at the helm, the Knights are ready to embrace the challenge.
