Kalyn Ponga

When Kalyn Ponga touches the football, the entire stadium shifts its attention. The Newcastle Knights captain is a game-breaker in the purest sense — a player who can produce something from absolutely nothing, who can turn a routine play into a try-scoring opportunity with a sidestep, an offload, or a run from the back that leaves three defenders grasping at his shadow. The 2023 Dally M Medallist possesses a combination of speed, agility and creative playmaking that places him among the most talented players in the NRL, and his leadership of a young Knights squad has given Newcastle genuine belief that the drought can end.

Career Statistics

Player Profile

Through 140 games and 55 tries, Ponga has established himself as one of the most valuable players in the competition. His Dally M Medal, his captaincy, and his ability to influence games through sheer individual brilliance make him the player Newcastle cannot afford to lose. In 2026, Ponga leads the Knights from the back with the same electric talent and quiet authority that has made him one of the faces of the NRL.

EC — Senior features writer, australiafootball.com