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Kalyn Ponga wasn’t ready to lead the Knights in 2022. He is now
When Kalyn Ponga first had the Newcastle captaincy thrust upon him at the age of 23, it was a case of too much responsibility too soon.
In those early, difficult days as skipper, Ponga was trying to be all things to people before he had even worked himself out.
“We went through some bad years, those first couple of years, and I didn’t really know how to handle it either. I probably didn’t have the people around me that could help me get through that period.”
When named as co-captain alongside Jayden Brailey at the start of 2022, Ponga was far removed from the consummate commander he is today. The “C” next to his name was a burden when he was still working out his direction, let alone that of a struggling NRL franchise.
Arise Knight Kalyn: how Ponga found himself as a leader
Kalyn Ponga says he is no longer having to put up a facade as Newcastle's leader, with the Knights star feeling he is finally confident to be himself as an NRL captain.
Ponga will gear up for the biggest club match of his life on Sunday against Penrith, as he and 15 other Knights prepare for their first preliminary final.
The fullback's emotion after last Sunday's win over the Warriors may become one of the enduring images of this year's finals, with Ponga admitting he felt like crying.
Fairly or unfairly, Ponga's commitment to Newcastle has been questioned several times in his career.
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Tearful Johns praises fans for helping Knights end grand final drought
Former Knights star Matty Johns has praised the Knights and their fans after Newcastle reached the NRL grand final for the first time in 25 years.
Johns became emotional as he hailed the supporters for sticking by the team.
The Knights will face the Roosters in the NRL grand final on Sunday, October 4 from 7:30pm AEDT.
Former Knights star Matty Johns has broken down in tears as he heaped praise on the Newcastle team and its fans after a gripping and gritty NRL preliminary final win over Penrith.
The Knights played more than half the game with 12 men on the field after Phoenix Crossland was sent off for a hip drop that graphically broke Nathan Cleary's leg.
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