Sport Confidential: Bizarre hitch in Kalyn Ponga contract talks

Newcastle Knights fans are already concerned star fullback Kalyn Ponga could be poached by a big money offer, with overseas rugby clubs also a big possibility.

Fans are already concerned Kalyn Ponga could be poached by a big money offer.

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Kalyn Ponga’s sublime form for the Knights has many wondering why club officials have not already moved to extend his deal and the reason, it emerges, is the star fullback is his own worst enemy.

Ponga has two more years to run on his contract, with an option for a third, but fans are already concerned Ponga could be poached by a big money offer, with overseas rugby clubs also a big possibility.

It makes Ponga the hottest player on the NRL market who is not actually on the NRL market.

Fans are already concerned Kalyn Ponga could be poached by a big money offer.

Ponga was keen to extend but, bizarrely, was told he needs to raise his social media profile.

Under their new, more commercially minded management, the Knights understand the relationship between player and salary goes beyond his talents on the field, none of which is a problem for Ponga.

He is one of the game’s most sociable players and rarely says no when asked to promote the Knights at various charities and functions or to appear on Fox Sports.

He already has a massive social media following, with more than 240,000 followers on Instagram.

Knights star Kalyn Ponga is one of the game’s most sociable players. Picture: AAP

Sydney Swans star Buddy Franklin has 330,000 followers while the AFL’s other big name star, Dusty Martin, has 268,000, but the AFL has far more members than the NRL.

In comparison, Storm captain Cameron Smith has 196,000 followers.

Ponga’s willingness to promote the Knights has put him in a Catch-22. He invests so much time promoting the Knights _ naturally he is always the first player requested _ that he leaves little time to promote any potential personal third-party sponsors.

Knights boss Phil Gardener told Sport Confidential he expects Ponga “to be a Knights for as long as he plays rugby league”.

“He epitomises everything we want the Knights to be about,” he said.

“He is just a super young man, not just as a player but his character.”

Originally published as Sport Confidential: Bizarre hitch in Kalyn Ponga contract talks