Newcastle cops grim warning about Kalyn Ponga's future as glaring issue called out at Knights
Newcastle would be wise to do whatever it takes to keep their marquee star happy.
The Newcastle Knights need to find an answer to their issues in the halves or run the risk of losing superstar captain Kalyn Ponga, according to veteran league reporter Brent Read. Ponga was once again outstanding at the back-end of the season for an inconsistent Knights side in 2024, and almost singlehandedly got them across the line in a man-of-the-match display against North Queensland in last weekend's sudden-death NRL finals game.
NRL great Corey Parker described it as one of the best individual performances of the season from Ponga and NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said it showed the Newcastle skipper was the “best player in the world” when he's on form. “(He) was sublime, but he needs help, doesn’t he?” Anasta said on NRL 360 this week. “He couldn’t have played any better and they still lost.”
The Australian's league reporter Read agreed and warned Ponga could run out of patience if the Knights don't sign a halfback to address the club's glaring shortcoming in that department. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien struggled to settle on a halves combination all season after using Jack Cogger, Jackson Hastings, Tyson Gamble, Phoenix Crossland and Will Pryce at various stages.
Newcastle clearly lack an organisational halfback that can run the show and take some of the playmaking burden off Ponga. And Read argues the Knights can't be considered a genuine premiership force until they address what is arguably the biggest issue at the club, warning that Ponga could eventually run out of patience and seek a move elsewhere if they can't fix the situation.
Knights urged to sign halfback to complement Kalyn Ponga
“The issue is how much patience Kalyn’s going to have,” Read said about Newcastle's marquee star, who has another three seasons to run on a $1.4 million per season contract. “That’s going to be their problem. At some point if they don’t put some players (around him) that can help him win a comp, I’m sure his patience will run out. As much as he loves Newcastle and loves that club. They need a half who can threaten people, put the fear of God into someone.”
The issue for the Knights is the distinct lack of quality No.7s's on the market at the moment though, with Dean Hawkins, Jesse Marschke, Niwhai Puru and Thomas Weaver the only four halfbacks currently off contract at the end of the season. There are at least 12 halves such as Daly Cherry-Evans, Adam Reynolds and Sam Walker who will be off-contract at the end of 2025 but a move for any of them would seem unlikely for Newcastle.
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Other halves set to be off-contract at the end of 2025 include Sean O’Sullivan, Toby Sexton, Braydon Trindall, Kaeo Weekes, Jake Clifford, Tom Duffy, Jonah Pezet, Ben Hunt and Chad Townsend. And Storm star Pezet - who is a former Knights junior - could be an ideal pick-up for O'Brien if he's willing to take a punt on a promising youngster. Pezet is still only 21 and there's not many better league educations than working under veteran Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.
Newcastle could turn to Ben Hunt in halfback search
But perhaps the most appealing option for Ponga and the Knights could be to try and lure Dragons skipper Hunt to play with his Maroons teammate. Hunt's future at the Dragons has once again come under question after a disappointing finish to the season and a fresh start for the veteran No.7 - who would certainly offer the Knights what they're lacking in the playmaking department - could benefit all parties.
O'Brien has already begun a roster rebuild at Newcastle after his side's exit in week one of the finals, with $800,000-per-season forward Daniel Saifiti expected to be offloaded in the coming weeks. It's understood Jack Hetherington, Adam Elliott and Jayden Brailey have also been told they can search for new clubs. Those moves would certainly free up plenty of salary cap space for the Knights to chase some much-needed talent to complement Ponga.
