‘Moment of madness’: Hudson Young slammed over Kalyn Ponga hit

2023 NSW Origin forward Hudson Young has grabbed an unwanted first of the new season as fans unloaded on the star.

Hard to argue about that one. Photo: Fox Sports and Getty Images

Canberra’s Hudson Young has become the first player of the season sin binned after a late and high shot on Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga, but it hasn’t stopped the Raiders running away with a 28-12 win.

Ponga, the reigning Dally M Medallist, was firing his first shot in anger in the first half, making a scorching line break before putting Tyson Gamble in under the posts for what the hosts thought was their first try of the season.

Unfortunately for the Knights, the try was disallowed after Ponga ran around an off-side Tyson Frizell, before the Raiders’ Danny Levi ran into his back, constituting an obstruction.

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But as Ponga passed when he ran into Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana, he was bounced out of the contact and was turned around before Young hit him over the top.

The instant concern was for Ponga’s well-publicised concussion issues, but he continued to play out the match.

The Knights fans blew up when a replay was shown on the screen and the commentators hit out at the act from the Raiders forward.

“There’s no need for that,” Greg Alexander said on Fox Sports.

Referee Todd Smith agreed, saying that the late hit was “totally unnecessary” and sending the No. 11 for a sit down.

Not a great look from Young. Photo: Fox Sports

It got what it deserved. Photo: Fox Sports

Alexander added: “A moment of madness there from Hudson Young. Totally unnecessary.

“Much worse in slow motion and he hits him pretty quickly after the tackle from Jordan Rapana, but there was no need for it.”

At halftime, Tiana Penitani said that it was also “careless”.

On Channel 9, Billy Slater agreed that it was “unnecessary”.

Andrew Johns argued that Young was bracing.

“I don’t think there’s anything deliberate in it,” Johns said. “He braces for some sort of collision, then I think then he goes on with it.”

Brad Fittler said another issue was that Ponga had relaxed after passing the ball.

Fans were quick to have their say over the hit.

The fans gave Young a serve. Photo: Fox Sports

While some argued that Ponga was a “protected species” as one of the faces and biggest names in the game, plenty more were quick to condemn Young’s hit.

“Part accidental, part cheap shot by Hudson Young,” wrote WWOS’ The Mole.

Western Weekender’s lower grades reporter Lachlan Jeffrey posted: “It’s not quite as bad as Matt Prior on Johnathan Thurston, but it’s not far away.”

He’s referencing a 2012 incident that saw then-Dragons forward Matt Prior hit Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston with a late elbow before Prior was sent off.

How does a sin bin penalty overrule an obstruction penalty?! That is insane.

Lying down, late tackles... a masterclass in shithousery from the Raiders so far in this one. #NRLKnightsRaiders

— Max Power (@jrodbourn) March 7, 2024

That is a dog act by Hudson. Only had eyes for Ponga. #NRLKnightsRaiders

— Chuck Oblivion (@ryantjansen) March 7, 2024

Completely unnecessary from Hudson, its this kind of stuff he needs to get out of his game #NRLKnightsRaiders

— Mathew Williams (@matywilliams22) March 7, 2024

Not a fan of either team, but that hit by Young on Ponga was seriously poor form.
He's extremely lucky he only got 10 mins.#NRLKnightsRaiders

— The Smiling Catassin (@smilingCatassin) March 7, 2024

Warren Smith suggested that the foul play would overrule the obstruction but it was the Raiders who instead went on the attack, scoring the first try of the match through a short kick from Jamal Fogarty which was fielded by new recruit Zac Hosking to open an 8-0 lead.

“A real 12-point turnaround right there,” Smith said.

As for the reason the penalty didn’t get reversed, on Channel 9, Mat Thompson explained that the sin bin was essentially the penalty against the Raiders.

The Knights did get on the board as Frizell made up for the obstruction when he burst through the line.

Both sides have had their fair share of tries disallowed, leaving the score 8-6 at halftime.

But the Raiders came out the stronger in the second half, grinding out fpur tries to one in a dominant second half to run away with the 28-12 win, taking revenge for last years’ golden point finals loss.

Originally published as ‘Moment of madness’: Hudson Young slammed over Kalyn Ponga hit