Broncos legend Darren Lockyer warns Kalyn Ponga of the pressures of being a big-money recruit

THE NRL has urged Newcastle to cater for Kalyn Ponga’s welfare as Broncos legend Darren Lockyer warned the young gun of the pressures of being a big-money recruit.

Kalyn Ponga with Cowboys fans at Townsville Airport. Picture: Evan Morgan

THE NRL has urged Newcastle to cater for Kalyn Ponga’s welfare as Broncos legend Darren Lockyer warned the Cowboys young gun of the pressures of being a big-money recruit.

NRL head of football Brian Canavan implored the Knights to help Ponga manage the record $3.6 million windfall that has made him the richest teen in the code’s history.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Ponga’s defection to Newcastle is complete with his management informing the Cowboys he will ink a monster five-year deal with the Knights.

Ponga planned to be at Newcastle next season, but Cowboys coach Paul Green says the 18-year-old will not be released and must honour the final year of his current deal.

The Cowboys sensation has become a Lotto-style instant multi-millionaire and Canavan is determined for Ponga’s career not to be derailed by money.

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Kalyn Ponga with Cowboys fans at Townsville Airport. Pics Adam Head

“I am worried about how the amount of money is utilised,” Canavan said.

“Good luck to Kalyn, it is an extraordinary amount of money for someone of his age.

“My hope is that Kalyn is looked after and a significant portion of this money will be quarantined so he doesn’t get his hands on all of it.

“It will be difficult for him to manage, but I just hope he has good support from his parents, manager and club and uses his talent to the maximum.

“I would like to see Kalyn progress into a senior player in our game and become of the NRL’s great entertainers ... but it depends how he handles it.”

Lockyer believes Ponga has the talent to be a 10-year NRL superstar who can spearhead embattled Newcastle’s resurrection.

But the former Test skipper concedes the pressure on Ponga will be huge and says the cashed-up two-game NRL rookie cannot afford to become complacent.

“As we’ve seen in the past, big contract don’t always guarantee success,” he said.

“If he works hard, he can play NRL for 10 years. But if he doesn’t work hard, he could fall by the wayside.

Darren Lockyer has warned Kalyn Ponga of the pressure he’ll come under at Newcastle. Pics Adam Head

“The biggest deal is not always the best deal. There are other variables for a player to consider, it’s a big contract and Newcastle are taking a gamble. He’s only played two games and there will be a lot of pressure on him to succeed.

“Kalyn looks like a kid who doesn’t want to let anyone down and he is the sort of talent you can build a club around. But it’s important he stays level-headed and keeps working hard.”

Green said he was disappointed to lose Ponga but says he won’t be malicious by refusing to pick him in the NRL if required next season.

“We expect Kalyn to go there (Newcastle),” Green said.

“We’re disappointed to lose him but we’ll move on.

“Kalyn is contracted to us for next year and is part of our plans for next year and as such, he’s expected to play for us.”

The Cowboys coach had huge plans for Ponga _ he sensationally blooded him in a semi-final against the Broncos last season _ and says he will ask the rookie why he quit.

“There were obviously things that were important to Kalyn in weighing up his decision,” he said.

“They were things we couldn’t match. I’ll probably have to talk to Kalyn about why he got to that decision.”

Originally published as Broncos legend Darren Lockyer warns Kalyn Ponga of the pressures of being a big-money recruit