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Ponga tears showed Newcastle's ultimate transformation
Scott Bailey, AAP • September 30th, 2026 1:49 pm
Proud captain Kalyn Ponga has led the Knights into the NRL grand final | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Kalyn Ponga knows as well as anyone his commitment to Newcastle has at times been questioned.
And by the Knights fullback's own admission, it hasn't always been unfair for his critics to do so.
"It probably didn't really frustrate me," Ponga told AAP.
Kalyn Ponga (centre) rushes to Sandon Smith after his match-clinching try against Penrith | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"I mean, it's not that I wasn't as committed and dedicated. I've always wanted to win here.
"But there were a lot of things going on around the club that probably made those headlines seem apparent."
Ponga is undoubtedly the NRL's most improved leader this year ahead of Sunday's decider against the Sydney Roosters.
He has come a long way from once saying he "wasn't too sad" when coach Nathan Brown got sacked because he was "having a nice strawberry thickshake".
The fullback was only 21 at the time, and while he was the face of the franchise they were perhaps the words of a kid in just his second full year of first grade.
Rival fullbacks James Tedesco (Roosters) and Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga are seeking grand-final glory | Photo: Susie Dodds/AAP
Even in the years since being named captain in 2022, the Knights No.1 was still at the centre of regular headlines over whether he'd remain at the club.
Now, though, Ponga is not only set to join Paul Harragon and Andrew Johns as Newcastle grand-final captains, but is also the Knights' clear spiritual leader.
Where once it may have seemed unlikely he would shed a tear on the field, he was the man bawling his eyes out most when Newcastle beat Penrith on Sunday.
So overcome was he with emotion, he interrupted Sandon Smith setting up a shot at goal to embrace him as the siren went in the 22-14 victory.
Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga was overcome with emotion after the Knights' win over the Panthers | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"It was just nine years of work at this club, bottled up into Sandon and taking that intercept," Ponga said.
"It all hit me at once.
"This is the position I've dreamt of. And then everyone else, just seeing their reactions. It's so rewarding."
Ponga's transformation hasn't been missed by Newcastle's much-revered old boys either, with the 28-year-old in April inking a contract until the end of 2030.
After copping criticism early in his career, Kalyn Ponga is now the heart and soul of the Knights | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Timana Tahu noted to AAP this week that Ponga "deserves to win", having carried the pressure of the steel city on his back for the past nine years.
"People put a lot of pressure on him," Tahu said.
"And that was when he was just a young kid coming through. The ups and downs, the amount of money he got given.
"He could have jumped out many times, but there were many times he ended up sticking to his guns."
Similar platitudes have been echoed by Michael Hagan, Harragon and Johns, as Newcastle attempt to go from wooden spooners to premiers.
Almost to a man, they have noted the way coach Justin Holbrook has taken some pressure off Ponga too.
Newcastle's attack is more balanced, working to positions on a field where Ponga can strike, with the No.1 now as much a threat on the right as the left.
Ponga has also grown into being able to embrace the pressure that has existed since he was a much-hyped teenager who debuted at North Queensland.
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga and coach Justin Holbrook have formed a special bond | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"There's a couple of reasons for that," Ponga said.
"I don't feel like I have to do everything now. I've got players around me. We've got a team. I just do my role within the team.
"It's something I really enjoy. Obviously, the energy I bring and everything is just an area of my game I can focus on.
"I don't have to worry about anything else, which is a credit to the coaching staff. They've given me that freedom, and also the players."
More than anything, he is perhaps the walking example of happy clubs making happy players.
Kalyn Ponga, Francis Manuleleua and Jermaine McEwen shared their joy with Newcastle fans | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"That's a good way to put it," he said.
"From the moment that Justin got here, I feel like the front office, with what Peter Parr's doing and CJ (Chris James), this club's in a good position.
"It's in a position to do good things and succeed, and obviously I want to be a part of that.
"I've been here for so long, and I'm definitely proud I stayed."
