Ponga

[ricardo]

Tedesco is also very good. Currently my NSW wing/fullbacks are Tom and Duges on the wings and Tedesco at fb but Ponga could also feature in years to come.

*Apologies for early season SOO talk, usually I leave it to Gus Gould and his “he wouldn’t look out of place in a Blues jersey” blah blah ...

 

[Snake]

I'll bet my house that Tom T plays more games for Australia than Ponga.
Also, Ponga is quick off the mark but I have seen him run down over 40-50m a few times. He is simply quick off the mark. I think a few people have listening to too much Grill Team Matty Johns Newcastle bias. Ponga is a talent, but there are heaps of them in the NRL.

Tom T was way more influential in the NYC than Ponga too.

If Ponga was so good, the Cowboys would have done everything in their power to keep him, like with did with Tom T. Instead they opted to pay overs to keep Coote. Ponga will be in the same class as Matt Bowen, not Billy Slater. Newcastle are currently riding a wave of early season energy and enthusiasm. We were poor and nearly beat them at home in front of raucous home crowd and the Raiders are nothing. I will not be surprised if the Knights eventually miss the 8.

 

[Ned]

Ponga looks pretty good to me, qld will have a great replacement for Billy Slater for sure. If he stays injury free drugs Castle have got a good player there.

 

[pjayz]

Ponga looks pretty good to me, qld will have a great replacement for Billy Slater for sure. If he stays injury free drugs Castle have got a good player there.

He is a classy player for sure.

 

[castle eagle]

for now his biggest weakness I've seen is goal line defence, bigger/stronger players can easily push him off to get across the line. that will change as he develops and i think her will be a bloody good player for a while to come(barring injuries)

 

[Bearfax]

What is not being understood is Ponga is effectively in his first year of first grade. Other teams are not yet used to his running style. Happens all the time with first year players. The test will be how he shapes up when opposition teams learn tactics to counter him. He's very good, but at this stage not in the same class as Turbo at his best. But in a couple of years we'll know if he is a legit challenger.

 

[XV-1]

Ponga has only just turned 20 and as mentioned, effectively in his first year of first grade. Ponga is an absolute gun. He makes less mistakes than Turbo now.

Both are awesome in attack.

 

[BOZO]

Ponga is a sensational player . He has scintillating speed and all the skills at such a young age . Scary to think how much more he will develop as he gets more NRL experience

 

[Loobs]

Tom is the complete package. He can kick, pass short, pass long, read the play, has fancy footwork, has good pace, brilliant support play and is a powerful ball runner. Tom's positional play has been found wanting but he can tackle as well as any other fullback when required.

We've only really seen Ponga pass short, show off some fancy footwork and good pace off the mark. He's also just 2 games in as a full time fullback and hasn't had a lot of traffic thrown towards him just yet. Point is that yes, Ponga is exciting to watch but let's give him some more time before we compare him to some of the best fullbacks in the game.

You obviously don't understand how sample sizes work on Silvertails...

 

[sheridanstand78]

I think its great that a kid like Ponga is given the chance to learn at a young age and the Knights are playing without fear.

I would love to see our coaching team have some faith in young players rather than turning to players who are passed it. You cant beat experience and you need to give your younger players the chance to grow, playing at Blacktown is a start for them! I would love to see a few of them if we as predicted lose a few players to origin.

 

[HoldenV8]

for now his biggest weakness I've seen is goal line defence, bigger/stronger players can easily push him off to get across the line. that will change as he develops and i think her will be a bloody good player for a while to come(barring injuries)

Ponga uses his head on the goal line, just ask Uate.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

I think its great that a kid like Ponga is given the chance to learn at a young age and the Knights are playing without fear.

I would love to see our coaching team have some faith in young players rather than turning to players who are passed it. You cant beat experience and you need to give your younger players the chance to grow, playing at Blacktown is a start for them! I would love to see a few of them if we as predicted lose a few players to origin.

I know what you're saying although we have the youngest side in the nrl

 

[Cliffymagic]

Done an amazing job so far. Newcastle dont win any games without him i reakon. Bit like us without tom.

 

[killerspud]

Ponga $11 daily M....thoughts?

 

[Snake]

Are you guys Manly fans or Knights fans?

This kid doesn't deserve his own thread here...let alone one that keeps growing. Matty Johns has hyped this kid up to the point of ridiculousness.

 

[Mr Manly 007]

Once they work him out he will get smashed

As soon as he has defenders in front of him who make contact , he can’t wait to hit the ground ; looks soft and self preservation kicks in . In space , given room to move - that’s a different story.great step; skip and pace .

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Are you guys Manly fans or Knights fans?

This kid doesn't deserve his own thread here...let alone one that keeps growing. Matty Johns has hyped this kid up to the point of ridiculousness.

Don’t forget it is supposed to be a “ football forum” as well!!

 

[Snake]

Don’t forget it is supposed to be a “ football forum” as well!!

I'm not serious. It's not hurting anyone to discuss players from other clubs...but...I don't get all the hype re Ponga. He has been impressive, but so have lots of players. I think Matty Johns has been pumping this kids tires up big time.

 

[maxta]

Ponga $11 daily M....thoughts?

Once more consistent yes....but for now will get the 3 points in games with daylight 2nd...then many a game you wont find him....especially when the Newcastle emotion dies down and they struggle in the middle....back to the thread - great player who would already feature on every teams danger man file.

 

[Paw93]

With all the hype surrounding this kid people are marking him as the messiah for the Knights. I reckon Pearce is the big signing that is actually helping the Knights win games. Without Pearce controlling the game, Ponga would be lost big time.