Ponga

[SeaEagleRock8]

Wanted to see us reduce him to tears last week, but we couldn't.
And it seems he had another influential game in Round 2.
I won't watch many non-Manly games this year, but won't mind checking out some Knights ones, he is an entertaining player to watch.

 

[Eagles2nv]

Yeah the kid definitely has talent. Knights threw alot at him so they would be hoping its pays off.

Could very well see the future SOO Fullbacks being Turbo vs Ponga.

 

[Harvies elbow]

His step should be illegal.
Nobody can do that.
Bet he goes alright on the dance floor.

 

[maxta]

He is deadly at sucking in 2 defenders on the edge.
He uses his explosive speed to get the defender directly in front interested, then skips outside to turn the next outside defenders feet inwards...and then play his runner into that space.
If the outside defender sticks to HIS player, Ponga shows and go’s like the try he burned Sirro last week.

 

[midsteyne]

Wanted to see us reduce him to tears last week, but we couldn't.
And it seems he had another influential game in Round 2.
I won't watch many non-Manly games this year, but won't mind checking out some Knights ones, he is an entertaining player to watch.

Once they work him out he will get smashed

 

[Loobs]

 

[madmax]

His step should be illegal.
Nobody can do that.
Bet he goes alright on the dance floor.

As an aside......Kelly's step on Hayne was pretty awesome also!!!!

 

[Harvies elbow]

As an aside......Kelly's step on Hayne was pretty awesome also!!!!

He made him look like a fool.
And these days jarryd doesn't need any help in that department.

 

[HappilyManly]

Once they work him out he will get smashed

Ponga is like Moylan in his first year.

His size at fullback will work against him in a few years.

Plus the inevitable injuries that will come due to his defense

He is the latest teen sensation and is good to watch 🙂

 

[maxta]

I reckon he is a gun and entertaining to watch - the coaching staff will have to change his patterns and positioning, as he will cop a few hard knocks near that edge inevitably from a blindside shot that is fair game and I look forward to that also....part of the game.
I think this Newcastle energy will fade soon enough and the team will slide to the bottom half of the ladder, but this kid will be an excitement machine for years to come but at the same time, he will be exploited against tough, physical sides also.

 

[Fluffy]

Highest paid fullback in the game so should be starring every week.

Kid has talent for sure

 

[brad]

Reminds me of a young Ewan mcgrady.

 

[XV-1]

Ponga is 6ft, 92kg at age 19 and has speed to burn. He is still growing and is a natural.

He is a gun and will be better than Tom T.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Ponga is 6ft, 92kg at age 19 and has speed to burn. He is still growing and is a natural.
He is a gun and will be better than Tom T.

Say what!

 

[XV-1]

Say what!

Just being honest.

Tom T is not that fast and is a huge frame which as he gets older may struggle with his positional play in keeping up. Still a superb player thou.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Just being honest.

Tom T is not that fast and is a huge frame which as he gets older may struggle with his positional play in keeping up. Still a superb player thou.

You can’t say that! Not about TT. The older he gets the better he will get! Even fatty said that the Trbojevic brothers could potentially be the best manly players ever!

 

[Ned]

Ponga is 6ft, 92kg at age 19 and has speed to burn. He is still growing and is a natural.

He is a gun and will be better than Tom T.

 

[Paw93]

You can’t say that! Not about TT. The older he gets the better he will get! Even fatty said that the Trbojevic brothers could potentially be the best manly players ever!

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.

 

[midsteyne]

Once they work him out he will get smashed

You really think the coaches are going to let this kid run as he wants,they will be studying videos of his past highlights reel and work him out,not one team can let him go unchecked.

 

[eagerbeaver]

Just being honest.

Tom T is not that fast and is a huge frame which as he gets older may struggle with his positional play in keeping up. Still a superb player thou.

I would put some good coin on Turbo outrunning Ponga over 100m.. Ponga might have him over shorter distance