Fears Ponga’s season is over after bizarre gamble as extent of horror blow revealed
Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga could miss the rest of the 2024 season after suffering a horror foot injury on Sunday afternoon.
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Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga could miss the rest of the 2024 season after suffering a foot injury against the Bulldogs on Sunday, with a rugby league great slamming Newcastle for their management of the fullback.
Ponga will receive more news on Monday when he meets with specialists, who will determine if the injury will require surgery.
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If it does, Ponga’s 2024 campaign will be over. However, if no surgery is needed, he could return after eight weeks according to The Daily Telegraph.
It’s a horror blow for the Knights, who rely heavily on Ponga.
He suffered a hip pointer injury in the first half of last week’s game against the Roosters but was able to play on after receiving treatment at halftime.
Penrith legend Mark Geyer believes the Knights did the wrong thing in playing Ponga on Sunday, considering the star fullback appeared to be in discomfort when running out onto the field.
“The fact that Kalyn Ponga played yesterday … It was evident that he was injured, not only the hip but now he’s also injured his foot,” Geyer said on his Triple M radio show Mick and MG in the Morning.
“Honestly, when you see a bloke running out from the tunnel onto a game and he’s got a pronounced limp … I don’t know why he played in that game.
“The only thing I can think is that he might of tried to be needled up and that the needle didn’t work.”
Co-host Mick Molloy agreed with Geyer, believing it was a “bad look” seeing Ponga “limping onto the field.
“That’s some pretty bad management I would’ve thought someone from the medical department who’s okayed that … as you said a guy limping onto the field of battle is not a great look,” Molloy said.
Newcastle is languishing towards the bottom of the ladder in 15th, having recorded two wins and five losses thus far.
The loss of Ponga means the Knights face a near-impossible task of reaching the top eight.
Early reports suggest that talented rookie David Armstrong and veteran outside back Dane Gagai are the two options to replace Ponga at fullback.
The speedy Armstrong, who was promoted to the side’s top 30 list at the start of the season, was terrific during the Pre-Season Challenge for the Knights and has excited many fans with his play in the NSW Cup.
Originally published as Fears Ponga’s season is over after bizarre gamble as extent of horror blow revealed
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