El Diablo
Post Whore
- Messages
- 94,107
told ya it would be those AFL flogs http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/42a7012cf3f6e52e8f42963735e7c204
Cowboys young gun Kalyn Ponga chased by AFL’s Brisbane Lions
PETER BADEL, ANDREW HAMILTON, ROBERT CRADDOCK, EXCLUSIVE, The Courier-Mail
32 minutes ago
COWBOYS wonder boy Kalyn Ponga has become the latest target in the poaching war between the AFL and rugby league.
The 18-year-old sensation is being courted by the Brisbane Lions, who hope to lure him away from the first grade rugby league career which started with a bang against the Broncos in the elimination final on Friday night.
Ponga’s electric footwork in the Cowboys’ 26-20 was reminiscent of a young Brad Fittler as he jinked through the Broncos defence in the biggest game of his life.
The Lions’ association with Ponga started when he trained with their academy as a 15-year-old and was dubbed the best talent they had seen at that age.
Brisbane list manager Peter Schwab said the Lions believed Ponga’s potential to be an AFL player was limitless and the club had remained in regular contact with him since he departed their academy.
He said the club had the capacity to sign him as a category B rookie under the same rules code-hoppers Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau were signed at the Suns and GWS.
Category B rookies do not take a position on a club’s senior list and their salary does not fall under the cap.
That means the Lions would have the financial capacity to compete with the Cowboys but would not have to sacrifice a proven player to secure him.
However, Schwab said the Lions always understood his first love was rugby league and the challenge to make him switch codes was formidable.
“He would always be welcome here and we could make it happen,’’ he said.
“But it would be a big decision for him. How many kids make their debuts in a final?’’
Ponga is contracted to the Cowboys for next season but has rejected their offer of a contract extension. His father Andre said one of his son’s first priorities in the off-season would be to get a manager and sort out his future.
“That is something he must do,’’ Andre said.
“I had not heard of the AFL approach but there is always speculation he will play rugby union, NFL or AFL but the point is that he right now is playing rugby league for the Cowboys.’’
Kalyn said last week he was not looking too far ahead in his football planning and was even hoping to play some Instrust Super Cup games to see how his body performed against older men.
“Everyone wants to play for Queensland or NSW and represent their country but I just take it as it comes and make the most of it when that opportunity arises,” he said.
Ponga was New Zealand’s under-13 golf champion, and made the Australian under-18 touch side as well as starring for Churchie’s First XV.
Cowboys young gun Kalyn Ponga chased by AFL’s Brisbane Lions
PETER BADEL, ANDREW HAMILTON, ROBERT CRADDOCK, EXCLUSIVE, The Courier-Mail
32 minutes ago
COWBOYS wonder boy Kalyn Ponga has become the latest target in the poaching war between the AFL and rugby league.
The 18-year-old sensation is being courted by the Brisbane Lions, who hope to lure him away from the first grade rugby league career which started with a bang against the Broncos in the elimination final on Friday night.
Ponga’s electric footwork in the Cowboys’ 26-20 was reminiscent of a young Brad Fittler as he jinked through the Broncos defence in the biggest game of his life.
The Lions’ association with Ponga started when he trained with their academy as a 15-year-old and was dubbed the best talent they had seen at that age.
Brisbane list manager Peter Schwab said the Lions believed Ponga’s potential to be an AFL player was limitless and the club had remained in regular contact with him since he departed their academy.
He said the club had the capacity to sign him as a category B rookie under the same rules code-hoppers Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau were signed at the Suns and GWS.
Category B rookies do not take a position on a club’s senior list and their salary does not fall under the cap.
That means the Lions would have the financial capacity to compete with the Cowboys but would not have to sacrifice a proven player to secure him.
However, Schwab said the Lions always understood his first love was rugby league and the challenge to make him switch codes was formidable.
“He would always be welcome here and we could make it happen,’’ he said.
“But it would be a big decision for him. How many kids make their debuts in a final?’’
Ponga is contracted to the Cowboys for next season but has rejected their offer of a contract extension. His father Andre said one of his son’s first priorities in the off-season would be to get a manager and sort out his future.
“That is something he must do,’’ Andre said.
“I had not heard of the AFL approach but there is always speculation he will play rugby union, NFL or AFL but the point is that he right now is playing rugby league for the Cowboys.’’
Kalyn said last week he was not looking too far ahead in his football planning and was even hoping to play some Instrust Super Cup games to see how his body performed against older men.
“Everyone wants to play for Queensland or NSW and represent their country but I just take it as it comes and make the most of it when that opportunity arises,” he said.
Ponga was New Zealand’s under-13 golf champion, and made the Australian under-18 touch side as well as starring for Churchie’s First XV.
