NRL 2024: Kalyn Ponga opens up on Townsville homecoming ahead of Knights vs. Cowboys clash

Eight years ago Kalyn Ponga signed a deal to leave his home in Townsville behind. Ahead of his return, the Knights superstar reflects on his ‘immature’ former self back and how much he’s grown.

Looking back now, Kalyn Ponga admits he was immature when he signed with Newcastle back in 2016.

He was impatient at North Queensland and wanted everything, immediately. Stuck behind Lachlan Coote, Antonio Winterstein and Kyle Feldt in the first grade line-up, the then under-20s star was wooed by the Knights who immediately recognised his star potential, and he signed a year out from the end of his deal.

It was a rich four-year contract starting from 2018 that not only changed the course of his life, but it turned out to be one of the biggest and best signings in Knights’ history.

Now, as the Newcastle captain and Dally M Medallist prepares for a sudden death showdown with his former club on Saturday night, Ponga reflects on the 18-year-old kid who signed that contract eight years ago and how far he has come since.

Kalyn Ponga admits he was immature when he signed with the Knights in 2016, but he has turned out to be one of the best signings in the club’s history. Picture: Getty Images

“I was definitely a kid. I was pretty immature at that age,” he says.

“I was 19 when I came down to Newcastle. I was 18 when I signed. I finished the year out and then came down.

“I was young, probably wanted things to happen quicker than they should have. I wasn’t prepared to wait up there, I wanted to just play footy and be in the mix every week.

“But it’s definitely worked out and I’m definitely happy where I am.

“This group that I’m in, the position that I’m in, I definitely think it worked out for the best.”

In an incredible piece of foresight from the Knights, Ponga has emerged as one of the biggest superstars in the NRL over the last seven seasons at the club as well as gamebreaking Origin performances for Queensland.

Although he hasn’t escaped the criticism that comes with being the highest earner in the game, Ponga’s run of form at the end of 2023 propelled the Knights to a home final win for the first time in a decade.

If he had told that impatient 18-year-old what he knows now, he’d be happy.

Struggling for consistent gametime at the Cowboys, Ponga says he was impatient and wanted it all too quickly. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Yeah I think so,” he says.

“I would like to have ticked off a few more things, obviously winning a comp and pulling on the Australian jersey. I think if I had told that kid (I’d achieved those things) then he would have been happy, but I want those things as well now.

“I’m content but not completely. I still have stuff to do.”

That starts with an attempt to haunt the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

“I’ve got some good mates in that team. I would obviously love to get one up on them,” he says.

“I’m excited to get up there.”

So is the rest of the Ponga family. Ponga’s father Andre still refers to north Queensland as home, their return holding special significance for more than just football.

They lived in Mt Isa for a time, a period when Ponga lost his younger brother Kacey in a tragic drowning accident. Their return gives them another chance to celebrate Kacey’s life.

“He (Kacey) would have been 20 now,” Andre said.

“We know what that means. It’s more about embracing the area now. I think if you asked Kalyn now, it’s more of a happy week and a celebratory week.

“It’s definitely a home for us.”

Ponga says knowing what he knows now, his younger self would be happy with the decision to move to Newcastle. Picture: NRL Photos

A field goal from Chad Townsend was all that separated the two as the Cowboys nabbed a 21-20 win over the Knights back in round two.

Plenty has changed since then though, both teams going through crucial changes to the spine to find their form at the end of the season.

Former Knights halfback Jake Clifford has been in form for the Cowboys in place of Townsend, while Jack Cogger and Phoenix Crossland are the halves for Newcastle after a trial of several combinations.

“We’ve had a few changes but our playing group has been together a while now, and off the back of last year I think there’s enough evidence to say things work for us regardless of who’s in or who’s out,” Ponga says.

“I think that’s the reason why we’re in the eight and have played the footy we have been playing.

“We have a good connection and we’re a pretty close group. (The Dolphins win in round 27) was pretty huge for the boys, some of them had never been in that environment before so it was special.

“We’ve just got to go up there and play our best and be willing to do it for the 80 or 90 minutes. They’re full of danger and can score points quickly so we need to be ready for it.” 

Originally published as NRL 2024: Kalyn Ponga opens up on Townsville homecoming ahead of Knights vs. Cowboys clash