Kalyn Ponga

Kalyn Ponga has agreed to stay in Newcastle, ending speculation about his future by confirming he will remain at the Knights for a further five years.

Coach Adam O’Brien then rubbished suggestions Ponga was halfway out the door in the post-match press conference. The 24-year-old finally put the speculation to bed by confirming he will remain at the club he joined in 2018. Kalyn Ponga has agreed to stay in Newcastle, ending speculation about his future by confirming he will remain at the Knights for a further five years.

Those who have previously dealt with Andre Ponga say there is an underlying belief that everyone has to bend over to accommodate the wishes of Team Ponga.

Newcastle insist there is no validity in reports over the weekend that a contract offer has been pulled from the table. But what some at Newcastle are beginning to find tiresome is the narrative that everything Kalyn does needs to revolve around his family, specifically his father. For all of Newcastle’s shortcomings in negotiations, they’ve always treated Kalyn like a generational player. The Knights know how sensitive Andre is claimed to be. Sources at the Cowboys claim Kalyn got over it, but his father wouldn’t let it go. Gardner threatened to sue anyone who suggested it was a salary cap rort. That he, too, was important to them. It highlights the predicament Newcastle now find themselves in. Nor is head coach Adam O’Brien. That’s almost unheard of inside NRL clubs. “At the time we felt as though we’d had enough of the rugby league fraternity. Those who have previously dealt with Andre say there is an underlying belief that everyone has to bend over to accommodate the wishes of Team Ponga. Sources who have dealt with the camp insist that attitude does not come from Kalyn himself. “We genuinely want the best for the young man and while he wants to play rugby league, we want him to play here at Newcastle in an environment he enjoys.”

nib Newcastle Knights Captain Kalyn Ponga has signed a new five-year contract, securing his future with the Club until at least the end of 2027.

“Kalyn sees the vision and direction we have committed to take for the club. “I’m grateful for the huge amount of time and hard work it has taken to get this new five-year deal completed, especially my family and key people from the club. Ponga joined the Knights in 2018 as an exciting 19-year-old, on a four-year deal.

Knights star Kalyn Ponga has put to rest speculation surrounding his future, signing a five-year deal to re...

The Bromwich brothers, Jesse and Kenneath, as well as State of Origin back-rower Felise Kaufusi, have all signed deals with the club from next season. It was revealed earlier this month Ponga met with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett as the NRL's incoming 17th franchise builds its roster. Those options virtually made the superstar a free agent.

After weeks of speculation Kalyn Ponga, has signed a multi-million dollar deal to stay at the Newcastle Knights for the next five years.

Ponga was signed with the Knights until the end of the 2024 season, but a clause in the contract gave him until June 30 to activate the final two years. Fronting a media conference this afternoon, Ponga told the packed crowd he would be a Knight until the end of the 2027 NRL season. After weeks of speculation, Kalyn Ponga has signed a multi-million dollar five-year deal to stay at the Newcastle Knights.

The Wayne Bennett-led NRL newcomers had put Ponga near the top of their recruitment list.

But the new Knights deal eliminates those clauses and the chance for Ponga to switch clubs until the end of the 2027 season. Ponga had until June 1 to inform Knights management of his decision to exercise an option in his contract to stay at the club in 2023. Bennett recently met the Knights fullback in an attempt to lure him to the Dolphins for their inaugural NRL campaign.

After weeks of speculation Kalyn Ponga says he's keen to "knuckle down" after signing a multi-million dollar extended deal to stay with the Knights.

Ponga was signed with the Knights until the end of the 2024 season, but a clause in the contract gave him until June 30 to activate the final two years. Fronting a media conference this afternoon, Ponga told the packed crowd he would be a Knight until the end of the 2027 NRL season. After weeks of speculation, Kalyn Ponga has signed a multi-million dollar five-year deal to stay at the Newcastle Knights.

The Knights star has ended the long-running and, at times, contentious saga by rejecting an offer from the Dolphins to stay in Newcastle.

“I think it’s a father’s job to want the best for his son. Ponga’s new contract is supposedly devoid of the sort of get-out clauses that have so bedevilled the current situation – “just a straight five years,” Andre Ponga said. “What it did was crystallise what his challenge was. Of course, Ponga has often said during the drawn-out saga that his No.1 priority is to win a premiership. It was never about the Dolphins or never about the Knights. And in the lead-up it’s been hard to ignore commentators talking about the influence Ponga’s father/manager/advisor Andre has had on the protracted saga.

Newcastle Knights captain Kalyn Ponga has signed a new five-year deal with the NRL club, reportedly worth to be in the region of $5million.

“Kalyn sees the vision and direction we have committed to take for the club. I am excited to have it done and now I can get on with contributing to the club and city that I love.” I have always said big decisions like these should not be rushed and we have taken the necessary time required.