Monday Bunker: Kalyn Ponga is not worth one million per season

Our Monday Bunker crew were in agreement that Kalyn Ponga isn’t worth his six million dollar asking price, with one panel member believing he isn’t even in the game’s elite category. HAVE YOUR SAY

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Kalyn Ponga’s reported asking price of six million dollars for the next four seasons has divided NRL fans.

The talent and star power of the 21-year-old is undoubted, however it’s undecided as to whether or not he deserves to be the highest paid player in rugby league.

Phil Rothfield deemed Ponga a million dollar player in his Monday column, but believes his asking price is too high.

WATCH THE BUNKER CREW DISCUSS IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

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Kalyn Ponga is asking for a big price tag. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

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Speaking on the Monday Bunker, the Courier Mail’s Peter Gleeson questioned whether Ponga was even worth one million per season.

“I don’t think Ponga’s worth one-and-a-half, I don’t think he’s worth one,” Gleeson said.

“I mentioned a guy earlier in the show, a guy called Cam Munster, him and Smith in my opinion are in that elite category.

“James Tedesco goes in that elite category. I think Taumalolo is worth every cent for his ability.

“I’m not sure about Cleary, he’s hot and cold, he did have a blinder at the weekend. I want to see a little bit more before I put him in that category.”

Panel member and Daily Telegraph reporter Fatima Kdouh also questioned Ponga’s asking price, saying it’s an enormous chunk out of a $9.6 million dollar salary cap.

Newcastle are on a losing streak which won’t help Ponga’s cause. Phil Hillyard

“I think part of Ponga’s deal apparently has to do with the fact that they got him for unders initially, so it’s kind of a top up which is why they’ve reached six million over four years,” Kdouh said.

“But we’re forgetting something here, NRL clubs have to fill a 30 man roster, you’re not left with a lot of quality there.”