Kalyn Ponga insists the Newcastle Knights are a united team ahead of finals
Wayne Bennett delivered some home truths to recruitment target Kalyn Ponga in 2022, now he meets the Dolphins with a final spot at stake and he couldn’t be more comfortable with his decision.
It hasn’t been lost on Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga that the club’s top eight hopes this weekend go on the line against a club he nearly joined for their inaugural season.
Ponga was one of the Dolphins’ biggest targets. The story goes that he and his father Andre met Wayne Bennett and Dolphins officials in early 2022 and what followed was a confronting conversation about his future and what sort of footballer he wanted to be.
Ponga left that meeting, reportedly underwhelmed, and agreed to stay at the Knights on a long-term deal. He believed in what the Knights were building under coach Adam O’Brien, even if Bennett didn’t.
Now he meets the Dolphins with a final spot at stake and he couldn’t be more comfortable with his decision. He loves Newcastle and they love him.
If the Knights are to make the finals, he will be the key man, just as he was last week against the Gold Coast when he picked apart the Titans to keep their top eight hopes alive.
“Yeah, so I sort of have thought about that over the last 24 hours,” Ponga told this masthead.
“It was a funny period, that negotiation time, but obviously happy where I am. No doubt he’s (Bennett) probably got some tricks up his sleeve for this weekend.
“But as long as we prepare well, we’re excited to be back in front of your crowd.”
Asked what he thought about when he reflected on that meeting, Ponga replied: “Just happy where I am, happy at the Knights. I’m happy we’re in the position we are in.
“We’re in a good position. We’ve got control of our future and I just want to make sure that I’m doing everything in my power to help and to perform on the weekend.”
THE FINALS
The Knights made a late charge to qualify for the finals last year and history has repeated, the club soaring into finals contention on the back of three wins in their past four games.
They weren’t helped earlier this season when Ponga was sidelined for an extended period with a Lisfranc injury to his foot, but they did well enough in his absence to stay within touching distance and give themselves a fighting chance.
Results have now fallen their way and a win before a sold-out stadium on Sunday afternoon would be a reward for their loyal fans, who have turned up regardless of their performance this season.
“My injury in the middle of the year didn’t put me in the best position,” Ponga said.
“When I got back, I just wanted to put my best foot forward, for whatever amount of time I had or whatever position we’re in.
“We’re fortunate that we’re still alive, still kicking, still in a position to make the eight and progress further.”
Ponga never gave up hope. Last year had shown him that anything was possible - the Knights got on a hot streak at the end of the season to finish in the top eight.
Asked why he kept the faith, Ponga said: “We’ve shown some evidence in the past, that’s all you can really go off.
“You look at last year where we had some adversity and our backs were against the wall, we tend to go not better, but it’s almost like when things have been tougher for us, that’s where we get a little bit more excited.
“I know what the boys are like. I know there’s boys leaving and we do want to perform well. It’s there. I think we’ve got all the ingredients we need, we just have to put it together.”
THE DEPARTURES
The Knights are in the midst of a roster rebuild that has seen some of their more experienced and popular players told they are free to leave at the end of the season if they can find a deal elsewhere.
It is a juggling act for the Knights and their leadership. At a time when they are fighting to play finals football, some confronting conversations are taking place behind the scenes.
The most serious has involved popular and long-serving prop Daniel Saifiti, who has interest from the Dolphins and could leave Newcastle at the end of the season.
“We’ve got that leadership group and within that group, we are pretty solid together,” Ponga said.
“I’d say that we’re all very driven and we all want the same goal. So as long as we’re tight, that sort of mindset can rub off on the group. I think that’s the case in this scenario.
“Even when our backs were to the wall, everyone was leaning in. Regardless of the noise that was going on around us, we still had that same goal that we wanted to achieve.
“That same goal is still alive for us despite all that noise. I think that’s a positive we can take out and it just shows I guess where our leadership group is.”
Asked whether he had spoken to the likes of Saifiti or Jayden Brailey to ask whether they had any concerns, Ponga said: “It’s probably not in my personality to be honest. I mean someone like Adam Elliot could have those conversations a bit more.
“Me personally, just looking at those two or anyone really within the group, I haven’t seen - and credit to D-Saf - I haven’t seen him pull out if that makes sense.
“I’m not too sure what his motive is or his inspiration, but he’s almost lent in more. He’s played some of his best games at the back end of this season.
“It’s a funny one but I mean the pleasing thing is I haven’t really seen anyone pull out or lose focus.”
Ponga insisted the group was united, from coach Adam O’Brien down.
“Definitely, definitely,” Ponga said.
“In terms of the coach and the club and the playing group, like I said we’ve been through a lot this year with a few different things but I think our resilience and our connection - like we’re pretty close knit group, coach included - and I don’t think you sort of put yourself in this position if you’re not.”
THE PREMIERSHIP DREAM
Yes, Ponga is driven by the dream of winning a premiership. But it isn’t his sole motivation. He knows how hard it is to make a grand final, let alone take out the title.
So his motivation comes from making the most of his talents with the hope that will eventually lead to the ultimate goal.
“Yeah, it’s that, it’s to win comps definitely,” Ponga said of his motivation.
“I guess the by-product of that is being the best version of myself. I think if I come back from injury and we weren’t able to make the eight, if all I work towards is winning a comp and that was taken away from me then, it’d be hard to stay motivated.
“But I sort of want to be the best version of myself every day and as long as I’m living by that, that’s why I’m so motivated and keen and excited to come in every day.”
If they are to win a premiership this season, they will have to do it the hard way.
Not just by winning this week, but by winning the grand final from outside the top four. With Ponga at his best, who knows?
“I know that there’s no team that’s done it, but you just have to put yourself in those games and anything can happen,” he said.
“That’s the mindset that I’ve sort of got. Anything can happen in games and it’s unfortunate but you just have to be there in the picture at the end.”
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