Kalyn Ponga’s cryptic social media post amid concussion fears
Kalyn Ponga has broken his silence after suffering his fourth concussion in 10 months, with the Knights star’s future in the hands of medical professionals.
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Kalyn Ponga has broken his silence after last Sunday’s worrying concussion, as Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien admits to being concerned for the Knights superstar’s long term future.
Ponga’s immediate playing future is in limbo with specialists yet to determine how long the playmaker will be sidelined after suffering four concussions in 10 months.
The 24-year old took to social media on Thursday, resigned to the fact his fate rests in the hands of medical professionals.
“Appreciate all the love and support over the past couple of days,” Ponga wrote on Instagram.
“Whatever will be, will be.
“Appreciate you guys though, thank you xx.”
Ponga was knocked out 90 seconds into the clash against the Wests Tigers trying to tackle backrower Asu Kepaoa.
Last Sunday’s match was only Ponga’s second game back from an extended break due to head injuries.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien revealed he was more worried about Ponga’s long term future than his immediate playing one.
“Of course (I’m worried), I’m a human being,” O’Brien said.
“Everyone is. We are not just talking about his footy future. It’s not a good look, what you saw there on the weekend but there are a number of things to be talked about.
“That’s his first one in the front line. The concussion he had last year were at fullback. It’s in the hands of people way smarter than me.”
A number of commentators, including former Knights legend and Fox League’s Matthew Johns have suggested switching Ponga from five-eighth back into the no.1 jumper to help safeguard him from the ‘frontline’ defence.
But O’Brien said, after revealing the switch was pushed by Ponga, it was too early to make that tactical call.
“We’re not there yet. I just want Dr. (Chris) Levi to be left alone to handle it and we’ll worry about it then,” O’Brien said.
“I completely understand where people are coming from.
“Ultimately, everyone wants Kalyn in the game and everyone wants to take care of him.
“He’s got a lot of life to lead yet. So that’s first and foremost. But there are a lot of conversations that need to be had but we are nowhere near that point yet.”
While Ponga won’t be available for Friday’s match against the Dolphins, O’Brien said the club is unlikely to know how long he’ll be ruled out until next week.
“Not before the weekend. I think it will be in the hands of those guys a little bit longer. I expect it will be early next week,” O’Brien said.
The nervous wait on Ponga’s future comes as the NRL announced an 11-day mandatory stand down, effective this weekend, for players that suffer a category one concussion.
O’Brien backed the move on Thursday.
“Anything that takes care of the individual first and foremost,” O’Brien said.
“They are human beings, let’s look after them. There are a lot smarter people than me handling this sort of stuff so I don’t have an issue with it.”
Originally published as Kalyn Ponga’s cryptic social media post amid concussion fears
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