The Cowboys wanted to keep Thurston and Coote, as well as upgrade Morgan. They couldn't compete with the dollars. His dad is also his agent, and he made it clear at the time it was all about money. Unfortunately, that's always the way with modern footballers. Newcastle may be a great place to live (and personally I really like Newcastle), but the whole "doing it for my family" line got old years ago.
And is Ponga really a rookie? Don't forget he debuted in 2016 and played a number of games through 2017 for the Cows.
Here is the article:
Kalyn Ponga’s touch football background showing in NRL
FIONA BOLLEN, The Daily Telegraph
May 8, 2018 9:37am
Subscriber only
HE’S taking the hype surrounding his performances in the stride of his now trademark footwork.
Kalyn Ponga is the name on every rugby league fan’s lips who credits playing touch football for a sidestep that is straight out of the Benji Marshall and Shaun Johnson playbooks.
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Teams can’t figure out how to stop Kalyn Ponga. Pic: Brett Costello
“That touch footy background, especially now, I can really tell that’s had a big part in the way I play,” Ponga said.
“I always run to the line and have three options. That’s a touch footy move.
“Especially when I do that move, it’s crazy how much that resembles touch and that’s probably why I think it’s given me the ability to do that.”
The Newcastle Knights picked up the unassuming 20-year-old for a pretty penny but he’s been worth every cent, leading the league in tackle breaks (68) and line-break assists (11) this season.
Ponga has also left a trail of sporting achievements behind him.
He won the under-13 national golf championship in New Zealand when he lived in his father’s homeland between the ages of eight and 13.
Fancy feet. Benji Marshall. Pic: AAP
Shaun Johnson. Pic: Getty Images
He excelled at soccer and touch football, played Schoolboys rugby league and attracted interest from the AFL and rugby when it came time to sign a contract.
Having his family by his side has helped, too.
When they returned to Australia in 2011, the Pongas settled in Queensland before moving to Townsville, when he joined the Cowboys.
When the Knights’ came knocking late in 2016, the timing couldn’t have been better.
His family was ready for a move and they now all live together in Newcastle.
It seems a happy Ponga off the field makes for the best Ponga on it.
“They’ve always come where I’ve had my opportunity,” Ponga said.
“Now I’m at that age where I’ll move out eventually but to have them here has played a big part in my footy.
“Not just in keeping me here, but why I’m enjoying it so much. The boys help. The place itself, it has a good vibe about it. I love it, it’s beautiful.
“But they were ready for a move too, just to get out of Townsville, they didn’t really enjoy it there. So they’ve moved here and they love it.”
Everyone will be waiting for more Ponga magic on Friday when Newcastle host Penrith.
It’s another week for him to impress as talk continues about a possible Queensland Origin call-up.
But Ponga sees it as another opportunity to perform for the Knights and grow as a player in the absence of injured playmaker Mitchell Pearce.
Ponga sees Pearce’s injury as a chance to develop his own game. Pic: Dylan Robinson
It’s the same positive outlook he applied when South Sydney superstar Greg Inglis steamrolled him last Friday.
“When GI ran straight over me, I was actually a little bit in awe,’’ Ponga said.
“I didn’t actually care that he ran over me. He’s done it to many people.”
Then there was the time he was in awe of Marshall when the Knights played the Tigers.
“I remember there was one point when I — I probably shouldn’t have — I kinda stared and watched him a little bit because I just wanted to watch him,’’ he said.
“Little things like that, I still enjoy seeing them play and do their thing.”
They are probably saying the same thing about Ponga.
