‘No respect’: New Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga demolished in monster hit

We’ve already got a frontrunner for hit of the year after Newcastle Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga was demolished in a monster hit.

Ponga was in the thick of things. Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images

NRL fans rejoice — the footy is well and truly back with a bang.

Ahead of the opening round of the season, many of the league’s stars were in action across trial matches over the weekend while fringe players try to put their best foot forward.

This was best shown in the first half of the Knights and Bulldogs clash when Canterbury rookie Declan Casey monstered Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga.

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The Knights were leading 12-0 and attacking the Dogs line when the ball was shovelled wide to Ponga.

But circling until he caught the ball was Casey, who hit Ponga perfect.

“Declan Casey, no respect,” Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said.

Cooper Cronk added: “What a bellringer! The Bulldogs should go and celebrate with Declan Casey, he just ironed out one of the elite players of our competition.”

The ball also spurted free and the Bulldogs Paul Alamoti was finally brought down on the Knights’ 20m line.

Kalyn Ponga was poleaxed by the rookie. Photo: Fox Sports

However, it didn’t stop the Bulldogs from scoring its opening try in the 16-all result.

Ponga did bounce back however and played out the remainder of the half before being rested for the second half.

“Yeah, I didn’t see him too early,” Ponga told Fox League

“Came out of nowhere and just got me a beauty. I was on the ground for a little bit and the boys went pep at the back so I was double gassed.”

But it was a good hit out for Ponga who is also the Knights’ skipper for the new season following the loss of hooker Jayden Brailey who ruptured his Achilles in pre-season training last month.

It’s a role Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien said Ponga had taken over with aplomb.

“I think the timing is right for Kalyn and the Knights and I think it is the right decision and call for us,” O’Brien said.

“He has led our whole summer both in the way that he speaks in meetings, but he is leading with actions.

“He has done close to 210 kilometres of skills this year, this time last year he was still on an exercise bike.

“So he has really lead a lot of our physical conditioning but also our meetings, he has a real glint in his eye he wants success and wants to bring it to Newcastle.”

Kalyn Ponga was straight back on his feet. Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Ponga had also been heavily linked as a target for the new Dolphins franchise, however the speculation has gone quiet in recent times.

But the star fullback also said all the right things for Knights fans when talking about being a leader.

“It is a privilege and an honour, I just love the club, love the boys and I want to take them to the big dance,” Ponga said on Fox League’s coverage of the NRL trials.

“I guess I am co-captain, but I have a bunch of leaders around me, our forward pack.

“I have always wanted to be a leader, it is something that I have been working on for two years and realising now that I am captain it is something that I really like.

“I want that expectation on my shoulders and I am really liking it.”