The special Ponga father-son bond at the heart of an unusual league family

Kalyn Ponga has been having the rugby league equivalent of a midlife crisis, and rival NRL clubs are well aware he has been questioning what he has achieved in the game and, more importantly, what he wants to achieve in his sporting career.

Teams have been briefed about his questioning and curious mind, which fits with the narrative that the Ponga camp engaged a New Zealand-based rugby union agent to explore options outside league despite being contracted to the Knights until the end of 2027.

His huge wage of $1.4 million a season is a stumbling block for rival NRL clubs, however. Clubs have been working out what they can do if he decides he wants out now, or even on November 1.

He declared on Thursday that he will see out the final two years of his deal in Newcastle, but questions remain.

Ponga and his family are wary of outsiders, but today we can provide an insight into the love his family has for him and how they operate in a way that few others do.

When he emerged as a schoolboy star, prospective agents were put through a rigorous test by his father and now career-long manager Andre. Kalyn also had a series of questions for any potential agent.

It’s a fascinating insight into the world of a superstar player and the investment that his family made in his sporting career. Andre wrote to the agents who had applied to look after his son’s career.

Kalyn and Andre Ponga show a public glimpse of their bond at a media conference in Newcastle in 2022 after Kalyn signed a monster contract extension.Credit: Getty Images

“We as a family are humbled by your interest in Kalyn, hence why we have openly taken our meetings and greetings with great thought and consideration,” Andre wrote. “I can honestly say that the past 8 years has been one of many trials and tribulation for our family with residing in different towns, cities, states, countries, but most notably the loss of (a son) Kalyn’s younger brother and the stroke of Adine (wife).

“It is because of these tribulations that we are a very emotional and close-knit family. It is also because of these tribulations that I have worked to keeping this family surrounded by positive people, family, friends and living life with simplicity.”

Andre admitted at the time that he would struggle to let Kalyn go and be managed by someone else, such is their bond. It turned out he couldn’t in the long term, and has managed the latter part of his son’s career.

Kalyn Ponga has declared he will see out the remaining two years of his deal.Credit: NRL Photos

“I can honestly say that I have learnt a lot about myself as a father through Kalyn’s athletic prowesses over the past 12 months through the NRL, rugby and AFL club interests and yourselves as player agents,” he wrote.

“The emotional attachment with my son is stronger than I have realised through our tribulations and that besides family and friends I am finding it very difficult to entrust other people with him especially in a future possible long term arrangement.”

Andre set down the following ground rules:

1. Dad will officially assist Kalyn with any decision making up to the age of 21 or when dad and Kalyn feels comfortable that Kalyn is comfortable on his own.
2. The agent chosen will embark on a 2 year agreement for the duration of his 1st agreement.

Andre’s openness about his bond with Kalyn is eye-opening.

Kalyn Ponga has carried the Knights at times during his eight years with the club.Credit: Getty Images

“I hope that you will appreciate for our family it is not about Kalyn as an athlete but Kalyn our son being a good person in life and most importantly upholding the PONGA name steadfast,” Andre wrote.

And here is the snap quiz that Andre had for the agents.

1. Kalyn holds a national title and has made 2 national teams in the past 3 years. What sport and teams? And what year did he make these?
2. How long has Kalyn been playing rugby league?
3. What’s Kalyn’s nickname?
4. What foot does Kalyn favour to kick with in footy?
5. Name 5 attributes that you see in Kalyn as an athlete.
6. Name 5 attributes that you see in Kalyn as a person.
7. What league club is Kalyn currently playing for?
8. What NRL club [does] Kalyn [have an] agreement with?
9. What school is Kalyn currently attending and where did he attend before that?
10. What is Kalyn’s brother name?
11. What is Kalyn’s birthdate?
12. Where was Kalyn born? State and town?
13. What is Kalyn’s favoured stepping foot?
14. Having met Kalyn, what do you think his priority is at the moment as a 15-year-old?
15. Knowing you have observed Kalyn in a rugby league environment, what are your thoughts of Kalyn playing rugby union because of his schooling commitments?
16. Are you an accredited manager?
17. How can you guide Kalyn sourcing an apprenticeship or university after Kalyn finishes school especially if Kalyn is taken on by a club after school? E.g. through to end of Holden Cup.
18. List in a ladder form [with the] best club first and so on which you think [provides] the best opportunities [for] a young footballer moving forward?

Kalyn Ponga took out the Dally M Medal as the best player in the game in 2023.Credit: Getty Images

Then Kalyn chimes in with his own questions.

1. What position do you see me playing in the future?
2. How long have you been managing for?
3. Where are you based?
4. Did you play footy? If so, who for? How long? What position?
5. How did you get into management?
6. What sports do you manage?
7. Why do you manage?
8. Who are some of your players you manage and what sport?
9. When had you first noticed me, where?
10. Why do you want me?

Then it’s over to mum, Adine.

1. What do you see in my son?
2. What is your philosophy of being a player agent?
3. What is your philosophy of a player under your management?
4. How will you help my son with rugby league?
5. What is your role as a manager?

Kalyn Ponga made his first-grade debut at age 18 with the Cowboys.Credit: Getty Images

Andre’s final message to the agents didn’t age well, given he is still Kalyn’s manager: “If I wanted someone to build me a house I would not get a butcher to build it, therefore I would not manage Kalyn’s affairs, that’s what a player manager is for.”

Bulldogs already had Hayward lined up to replace Sexton

Cameron Ciraldo knows that if he wants the rain that Lachie Galvin can bring, he has to be prepared for the mud as well. If he doesn’t know that he can be sure that his general manager, Phil Gould, will remind him, because it’s one of his favourite sayings.

Galvin was brought in to be the Bulldogs’ No.7, but even if he wasn’t there now there is a good chance that Bailey Hayward would have replaced Toby Sexton for yesterday’s clash with the Dragons.

The Bulldogs were already eyeing Bailey Haywood (blond) to replace Toby Sexton left before the arrival of Lachlan Galvin.Credit: Getty Images

The run to the finals started after Origin III, and with the Bulldogs’ attack spluttering, the club was always looking at this moment to make a change.

Galvin is not a natural or traditional No.7, but he is a threat.

Twenty-year-olds don’t always make the correct decision, but Canterbury are looking for some spark and unpredictability. It’s a risk, but the Bulldogs are only considered a puncher’s chance of claiming the NRL title this year, so they may as well throw a few haymakers.

What has been fun to watch are the Sexton supporters in the media who have gone quiet after statistics emerged showing his shortcomings. But those stats have been available for weeks, and they have been ignored because it didn’t suit the anti-Galvin, anti-Isaac Moses (Galvin’s manager), anti-Gould narrative.

It was far more click-friendly to cheer for Sexton and criticise Galvin. That will bubble forth again the moment Galvin or the Bulldogs stumble.

A right Royal mistake

Who at the NRL thought letting Mike Tindall mix with the best Origin players was a good idea?

Zara and Mike Tindall take in the action at Accor Stadium.

English rugby great Tindall and his royal wife, Zara Tindall, were sitting next to Nicole Slater, the wife of Queensland Origin coach Billy, at the decider in Sydney. Tindall is heavily involved with R360, the Saudi-funded rugby union competition that is being painted as a threat to the 15-man and 13-man codes.

We know they have an interest in a range of league players, including Ryan Papenhuyzen. Yet, Tindall was treated like royalty (I know) and was mingling with players on the field and in the Maroons dressing room after the match. It was odd to say the least.

Storm’s real star power

If you want an insight into why the Melbourne Storm are such a great club, take a look at this photo (below) taken after the Origin decider in Sydney.

Yes, it’s dripping with star players and an all-time great coach and football manager. But the story behind the picture says even more.

The Melbourne Storm Origin connection of Craig Bellamy, Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu, Trent Loiero, Cameron Munster, Frank Ponissi and Harry Grant.Credit: Instagram

They made a pre-Origin pact that no matter the result all the Storm representatives would meet in the tunnel between the NSW and Queensland dressing rooms after the series to have a beer. They were true to their word, and it was a sign they are focused on the next task at hand, winning the NRL title.

What this photo doesn’t show is that one of the club’s former great leaders, Cameron Smith, was also having a celebratory catch-up with his old club mates.

Wrestle mania

Wrestler Mel Averillo.

Dolphins utility Jake Averillo is not the only member of his family making a sporting splash. His sister, Mel, who is 190cm tall, is making her mark with Pro Wrestling Australia. She is hugely popular with those who follow the sport.

Act of Todd

Todd Payten’s problems at the Cowboys stem back to a hardline stance he took on Jason Taumalolo. He had board backing at the time, but it led to ructions in the playing group after Payten benched the giant forward.

It is worth noting that Taumalolo’s management group is the same one that is pitching Sharks assistant coach Josh Hannay to rival NRL clubs as a buy-now-or-risk-missing-out commodity.

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