NRL 2022: Kalyn Ponga’s father desperate to salvage Newcastle Knights’ extension offer

One man stood between Kalyn Ponga and a $3.3 million contract extension with the Knights, Dean Ritchie tells how the conflict was resolved.

The father of star fullback Kalyn Ponga has met Newcastle management to resolve increasing tension in a last-ditch bid to have a withdrawn $3.3m deal for his son reinstated.

Aware he had unsettled the Knights, Andre Ponga met with club officials over the past 48 hours to heal agitation between the two parties and attempt to have his son’s three-year extension rekindled.

A Sydney radio broadcaster even suggested Andre had “apologised”.

It appears Andre’s contrition has worked with well-placed sources indicating Kalyn’s deal for 2025, 2026 and 2027 could now be revived.

Newcastle also felt the need to firmly tell Andre that it was management who ran the club — not him. With Andre promising to pull back at the club, Newcastle now believe the deal can be salvaged.

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There is even a suggestion the messy contract drama could be resolved soon with Ponga to remain a Knight although several senior officials will still need to be convinced.

Knights recruitment manager Clint Zammit was spotted by a Telegraph reader flying into Newcastle on Monday to talk with club officials about the Ponga drama.

There are concerns within the Knights organisation about the influence Andre has at Newcastle.

Ponga agreed to the new contract a fortnight ago but Andre – not Newcastle — wanted authority over when to publicly announce the deal. And the club was also concerned at Andre’s intrusion into the club’s NRLW side.

Kalyn Ponga’s deal could be back on the table after Andre Ponga met with club officials. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

Former NRL player and commentator Jimmy Smith also secured important details on the drama, telling SEN Radio: “The dissatisfaction with the influence that Kalyn’s father, Andre, has at Newcastle … it got to the point where the deal was pulled. It took some resurrection on behalf of Andre.

“From what I understand, Andre spent (Monday) time apologising to key figures within the club. He was involved in the women’s side and then there was speculation around him wanting to manage some of the players, which is a clear conflict of interest.

“The final straw was that they wanted to make the announcement on the Kalyn deal at a time when Andre felt it was appropriate as opposed to the Newcastle Knights.

“The deal gets pulled, it’s back on the table because of Andre’s actions on Monday. We will watch with interest, the deal to be announced very shortly. But it’s a case of the Knights pulling their foot down and saying: ‘Hey, we are in control of this club — not you (Andre)’.”

Supplied Editorial Kalyn Ponga with his father Andre and sister Kayley. Picture: Instagram

Another source close to the club said “The story was 100 per cent spot on. The offer was pulled. People are saying it’s not true but it was f...ing true.”

Some officials in rugby league also question why Andre is acting for Kalyn when he’s not an accredited NRL player agent. Andre is however, under NRL rules, permitted to act as an agent for his son given he is a family member.

The Dolphins’ interest in Ponga remains genuine but seems to be waning.

It appears the new NRL club is more focused on Melbourne’s Cameron Munster than Ponga. Young Penrith fullback Sunia Turuva has also been linked to the Dolphins.

Ponga has an option his way for the next two years in his existing Newcastle contract. The three-year extension means the overall deal would span five seasons.

Newcastle CEO Phil Gardner will return from a Hawaiian holiday within the week to clean up the Ponga mess. Gardner has been telling media representatives he will not comment on player contract movement.

“Unfortunately, caught in the middle of all this is Kalyn, who just wants to play some footy. And based on what we saw on Sunday (against St George Illawarra), when he is able to do that and concentrate on his footy, he’s exceptional,” Smith said.

Ponga power struggle fractures Knights

Rival NRL clubs didn’t suspect Newcastle “had the balls” to pull a three-year deal for star player Kalyn Ponga and predict the club could “put it back on the table.”

The Daily Telegraph revealed on Sunday that the Knights had decided to withdraw a $3.3m contract extension for their champion fullback – a story which sent rugby league into meltdown.

Despite some denials, The Daily Telegraph stands by the story.

Well-placed sources close to Ponga and the club reaffirmed on Monday that the new offer – for 2025, 2026 and 2027 - had been taken off the table.

There are elements within the club that want the offer to be resurrected but others in high places claim the club has to move on from Ponga.

A final decision will be reached when CEO Phil Gardner returns from holidaying in Hawaii next week.

Ponga and his father, Andre, wield considerable power at the club – a fact which has unsettled several senior figures.

Some NRL clubs were stunned at the Ponga situation with one prominent CEO saying: “I didn’t think Newcastle had the balls to pull the offer. Kalyn and his dad have some sway at the club. I wouldn’t be surprised if they put it back on the table.”

Last week, Ponga agreed to the new long-term deal at Newcastle – and his third party agreements - but he and Andre wanted to announce it on their terms, a decision which frustrated the club.

While his sublime skill is undoubted, some at Newcastle also believe Ponga’s $1.1m annual contract is excessive.

There is a theory among former Knights players that the club wanted to play some contractual argy-bargy by bringing the issue to a head. The situation is fluid.

One NRL head coach said: “I reckon the club wants to take back some control. It seems Kalyn and Andre have a lot of influence at the club.

“You’d think it would come to a head and get sorted. If that happens, I reckon the offer might be back on the table but who knows? Do Newcastle have the gumption to offload Kalyn?”

Kalyn Ponga’s new deal has become very messy. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

Ponga can still trigger a clause in his favour which would keep him at Newcastle until the end of his existing deal in 2024.

The Dolphins want Ponga to become the face of Moreton Bay. Rugby league’s newest club also has considerable interest in Melbourne’s Cameron Munster, who comes off contract after next season.

Those close to the Dolphins have no doubt coach Wayne Bennett would “bring out the best” in Ponga.

Ponga was asked about the contract speculation moments after his side’s loss to St George Illawarra on Sunday.

“I don’t worry about it, all I am thinking about right now is the loss. I know what I am feeling, but that’s between me and my management,” Ponga said.

“I know you guys (media) want to know and I hope you (can) respect I (want to) announce this on my terms.”

A Queensland State of Origin champion, Ponga, 24, has until round ten to trigger an option for the remaining two years of his current Knights contract.