Ponga Appreciation Thread.

[Jono078]

This is also the problem with Ponga, he's got an image problem that can irk fans.

In the post-game conference he was asked what he'd work on and he looked at AOB and laughed before saying "probably defence". It's just poor optics, like it's a joke to him.

 

[perverse]

This is also the problem with Ponga, he's got an image problem that can irk fans.

In the post-game conference he was asked what he'd work on and he looked at AOB and laughed before saying "probably defence". It's just poor optics, like it's a joke to him.

Yeah it is bad optics. I think he was laughing at the obviousness of the answer, but it's easy to see how it can be taken as a lack of caring.

 

[Frederick]

Anyone think he's been over coached by AOB?

He's an absolute shell of his 2018-2019 self. Back then he legit looked like a dangerous runner and playmaker. Now he plays like a mid 30s Benji Marshall. Indecisive and rarely takes the right option, or it looks clunky.

I think he's a greedy person and player who thinks the sun shines out his arse because he's been told by mummy and daddy and all his Instagram Stan's that it does. Every time he has his hands on the ball he goes for the highlight reel play instead of actually trying to play smart, structured footy. He also doesn't even bother trying in defense

There's only one position on field he should be in and that's fullback, but even with the dodgy hands I much prefer watching miller back there.

I hate Ponga, and I wish for him to not play for my team anymore please and thankyou

 

[Frederick]

This is also the problem with Ponga, he's got an image problem that can irk fans.

In the post-game conference he was asked what he'd work on and he looked at AOB and laughed before saying "probably defence". It's just poor optics, like it's a joke to him.

It's not just in the press conferences either:

He's a wanker, through and through

 

[slotmachine]

And people wonder when the teams spirit disappeared to

 

[perverse]

At least he gave a shit about his performance. I'm all for dropping him, but if he was all smiles and handshakes after the game we'd complain about that too. He can't win after a performance like that.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Thread title is redundant now. That performance was criminal.

 

[mozza91]

Easily his worst game in First Grade. He’s just so tentative out there, will all the concussions it’s hard to blame him but he was liability tonight. He shouldn’t be playing if he’s not right mentally.

 

[perverse]

Easily his worst game in First Grade. He’s just so tentative out there, will all the concussions it’s hard to blame him but he was liability tonight. He shouldn’t be playing if he’s not right mentally.

He should be in cup if it's a confidence issue. He can rebuild it there.

 

[Woody90]

He should be in cup if it's a confidence issue. He can rebuild it there.

If it were any other player that had missed that much footy over the past 2 years they’d be in cup.

I definitely don’t buy into the opinion that Ponga is responsible for our poor form. He’s just one player and tbh we’ve been on the slide since second half of Penrith game and I see the timing of his inclusion as a coincidence.

Saying that though he’s not up to first grade at the moment. He needs to be put back to cup to make a statement to the entire squad that nobody is above being dropped and to build back his confidence, match fitness and work on his defence.

 

[perverse]

If it were any other player that had missed that much footy over the past 2 years they’d be in cup.

I definitely don’t buy into the opinion that Ponga is responsible for our poor form. He’s just one player and tbh we’ve been on the slide since second half of Penrith game and I see the timing of his inclusion as a coincidence.

Saying that though he’s not up to first grade at the moment. He needs to be put back to cup to make a statement to the entire squad that nobody is above being dropped and to build back his confidence, match fitness and work on his defence.

Anyone blaming Kalyn alone for our slide is missing the bigger picture for sure. I mean, he absolutely contributed to last night with his atrocious performance, but he wasn't alone by any stretch.

 

[HarVeeGee]

It's not just in the press conferences either:

He's a wanker, through and through

That ex Hull Kiwi lady is crazy though, obsessed with the dude. She was even bagging him after his flu game against the Sharks when he pretty much won it for us single-handedly, because he was selfishly endangering the health of the other players or whatever. Not the person I’d point to as a neutral observer.

I was also at the ground and he was visibly distraught with his own performance.

 

[Zoidberg]

How many people would be complaining “Ponga doesn’t care” if he was all smiles after his performance.

 

[macavity]

We can’t hang him on his worst performance same as we can’t hang off his nuts for his best.

if he gets his head and timing right we can still make the finals. If he puts in many more performances like last night we have the new Luke Brooks. Who knows which occurs.

 

[HarVeeGee]

So far his trajectory reminds me more of Milford than Brooks. Milf should have a Clive Churchill Medal, just as KP should have a Wally Lewis Medal. Brooks never came close to that sort of rarified air as a player, but never has anyone questioning his effort… which is maybe the saddest thing about the poor bugger. Everyone can see he’s trying!

 

[Yosh]

I'm fine with Ponga having a bad game. What I'm not fine with is his attitude. Why is he not distraught?? Why isn't he furious? As the captain why isn't he kicking our players up the bum?

 

[Woosh]

Ponga isn’t the main course. He’s the strawberry milkshake that you have after your meal.
He’s no Munster/Hynes. He’s your Paps/Brimson.
I feel a bit for Ponga. He is expected to do it all on his own because of his ridiculous contract.
He played his best footy when Pearce was captain and he didn’t have to lead the side around the park.
He needs to let Hastings run the show and play second fiddle.
He also doesn’t need the responsibility of being captain.
As cliche as it is Ponga just needs to enjoy his footy again.

 

[Woody90]

I'm fine with Ponga having a bad game. What I'm not fine with is his attitude. Why is he not distraught?? Why isn't he furious? As the captain why isn't he kicking our players up the bum?

To be fair, reading both forums everyone at the game said he was distraught. Don't read into press conferences. It's all for show to get out of it as painlessly as possible.
Saying this though I wouldn't keep him as captain.

 

[perverse]

I'm fine with Ponga having a bad game. What I'm not fine with is his attitude. Why is he not distraught?? Why isn't he furious? As the captain why isn't he kicking our players up the bum?

I'd say he is distraught, or as distraught as a guy like him gets anyway. The rest of it he isn't doing because he's not a good captain, and whoever made that decision is a moron.

 

[Woody90]

Anyone blaming Kalyn alone for our slide is missing the bigger picture for sure. I mean, he absolutely contributed to last night with his atrocious performance, but he wasn't alone by any stretch.

My favourite is people saying that he's ruined the rest of the team's attitude by coming back into the side. How though??? You're telling me that the inclusion of one player has caused 16 other players to suddenly develop a shit attitude? Even if that were true it probably says a lot more about the rest of the squad (not referring to Fritz or Gagai here) than it does Ponga. They're professional players FFS. They should go into every game with the right attitude regardless of who else is in the side.

We were soft second half of the Penrith game and start of Cowboys too and Ponga wasn't even on the field. Our attitude for the entirety of 2022 was shocking too and he played what, 6 games? As horrible as his individual game was last night, it's ridiculous to say he's somehow responsible for ruining the rest of the players attitudes.

I actually wish that were true and he was our major issue as it would be so easy to fix by just removing him.