Kalyn Ponga set to apologise for “strawberry thickshake” line
As Newcastle readies to celebrates Old Boys Day, apologetic Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga is set to appear on Fox Sports with a slice of humble pie to go with his next strawberry thickshake.
Knights
Don't miss out on the headlines from Knights. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- No split, no divide’: Players wanted Brown to finish
- Kent: Knights have let down their coach, club and city
Under-fire Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga is expected to use a Fox Sports appearance to apologise for his now infamous “strawberry thickshake” line, while Knights Old Boys have urged for a culture overhaul to ensure the 21-year-old becomes a Novocastrian legend.
On the eve of Old Boys Day, Knights favourite Ashley Gordon says the club “can do better” when it comes to the work being done off field to support its rising stars like Ponga.
Stream the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Get your 14 day free trial >
The Queensland Origin No.1 made headlines last week when, fronting cameras following the shock announcement that coach Nathan Brown was leaving, he responded with: “I was at lunch having a nice strawberry thickshake, so I wasn't too sad”.
The quip drew a negative backlash, which escalated after the Knights were thrashed by Wests Tigers 46-4 on Saturday night.
Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce also angered fans when he jokingly suggested his mum could be the one to succeed Brown.
LISTEN! On the Matty Johns podcast, Matty lets fly on the crisis engulfing his former club the Newcastle Knights, and the team look at the best NRL rivalries and recall some of their favourite interview moments.
You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, on Spotify or Google Podcasts.
And while Ponga supporters insist the fullback was simply attempting to cool the situation — especially given, hours earlier, Brown had fronted players stressing there was no need to defend him — the young Knight is still set to apologise when he appears on Fox Sports’ coverage ahead of Thursday night’s Cowboys-Panthers match.
Club member and passionate supporter Arabella Zucchetto has urged players to dig deep on Saturday.
“If they can’t do it for Old Boys day, if they can’t do it for the fans who are heartbroken and outraged this week … they know we are hurting and I know they’re hurting too but we’ll all get through it together,” she said.
Asked how former Newcastle players felt about the week’s dramas, Gordon, who is involved in rallying attendees for Saturday's Old Boys event, said: “I think we can do more to support our players off the field.
“Sure, you can sign young guys on big money — and you can see the potential they have — but there's a whole other component that comes with being successful, and that's the part we're talking about.
“Which I want to stress, isn’t about bashing Newcastle.
“Like all the other former players, I only want to see the club succeed.
"But the Knights have a lot of young guys coming through and there are a number of things which, off the field, can make or break them.
"There's been talk about a drinking culture and so on.
"So it's about supporting players off the field to ensure they have a sense of connection to the club, to the community and to that Knights jersey on their backs.
"Kalyn is a player with the ability to star for 10 years at the Knights. But if things aren't put around him correctly, I don't think he will be."
And as for the strawberry thickshake line?
"That's all about maturity," continued Gordon, a qualified youth worker. "Which is the point I'm making, it takes time for these guys to mature and grow up.
"So we need to ensure the off field programs are strong.
"I saw earlier this year where Gorden Tallis talked about young Brisbane players not acknowledging the tradition of the club.
"Yet at Melbourne, I'm betting their off field programs are strong. So you need to get that right.
"I talk to a lot of the old players and we're all wanting success.
"And obviously we were hoping to get it this year. So while that wasn't to be, anyone who calls themselves a real supporter just wants to see the players having a go."