Rumoured Signings

[Canard]

One of the most talented young players the game has seen in a long time, rated by Thurston as the most talented kid he's seen. Worth the punt considering how royally f**ked our current situation is. He'll be on the same as what Tariq Sims and he can't possibly be any worse.
It's certainly preferable to signing a bunch of blokes in their late 20's who nobody else wants.

Plus it's a good bit of hype for the club and could put bums on seats.

 

[nick87]

The knights really dont have any other choice but to take a punt on a kid like this. As far as punts go, if you're going to swing for the fences, you might as well do it with a potential franchise altering player like Ponga.

 

[Tommy Smith]

This is awesome for the Knights.

The fans deserve a boost like this so hopefully it pans out well.

No doubt he'll be there for 2017. Probably in exchange for a prop.

 

[Kilkenny]

I have seen these rumours time and time again over the years only for the player in question to resign for the club he is at or end up at the Bronco's surprise, surprise. Until he is signed sealed and delivered I wouldn't be getting to excited just yet if I was a Knights fan. I hope it happens for them but I have serious doubts!!!!

 

[Rhino_NQ]

This is awesome for the Knights.

The fans deserve a boost like this so hopefully it pans out well.

No doubt he'll be there for 2017. Probably in exchange for a prop.

I agree, fensom will be a great addition to the team

 

[ACTPanthers]

Only Newcastle would spend 3 mill on a kid who has played 160 minutes of first grade. Insanity.

I call bullshit.... You google him didn't you?

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Big risk, putting that much money into a largely unproven kid.

But I guess when you're the Knights at the moment you need to take a few risks.

 

[Iafeta]

Massive call. Very young but I really didn't see anything outrageous in his time. Very young of course.

 

[Nice Beaver]

Big money, but I think they have to roll the dice.

Personally, I think it will be considered money well spent in 2 to 3 years.

 

[Liddell]

Only Newcastle would spend 3 mill on a kid who has played 160 minutes of first grade. Insanity.

Probably did more in those 2 games than Jimmy the Jet did all season.

 

[Spot On]

Haha, that's gold Liddell!

 

[BennyV]

If Knights get Ponga long term and also manage to grab Jack Bird in the 6, theybe set themselves up for a fairly decent period of success..

 

[umina panther]

Ive seen nothing to suggest that Bird could carry a team at 5/8. Will be in the backrow in a few years imo

 

[Noname36]

Eh, yeah it's a lot of money but we are going to have to shell out massive overs to sign a fullback anyway - regardless of who it is.

This kid is probably still a couple of seasons off really making the position his own but considering most of the team is in the same boat he'll probably be a good fit.

I've seen the kid play. At worse he's first grade capable now, and who knows, might be very, very good in a couple of years.

 

[Incorrect]

I said in the Eels forum yesterday, if Ponga turns out to be as good as folks like Thurston and plenty others are saying he'll be, 600K a year come seasons 2020, 2021 and 2022 will look like peanuts... Massive gamble yes, but as plenty have been saying, the Knights need to take the gamble right now. Suppose Coote goes down in Round 1 with ACL in 2017, Ponga comes in and blitzes it and wins the Dally M before heading off to the Knights for 2018, all of a sudden the Knights gamble looks like a genius move... Good luck to the kid and good luck to the Knights!

 

[Walt Flanigan]

We took a punt on Tapine by signing him for 18 million over 13 years and that seems to be working out ok.

I’m guessing the idea is to mould him into a fullback? It’s way too much for a winger.

 

[betcats]

We took a punt on Tapine by signing him for 18 million over 13 years and that seems to be working out ok.

I’m guessing the idea is to mould him into a fullback? It’s way too much for a winger.

OF course he isn't going to be a winger lol. Not even a desperate club would take this kind of risk for anything other than a fullback or half. Not even the best teenage forward in the game would get an offer like this and realistically the knights wouldn't of done it if they hadn't been completely f**ked by Bennet and tinkler. Anyway I hope this works out for the knights, good to see an in demand kid go somewhere other than Brisbane/bulldogs/rorters.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Yeah I've only seen Ponga play in the 2 NRL games last year where he put in some solid performances on the wing. Never saw him in the Holden Cup.

Money aside, it’s probably a good place for his development. Not a lot of pressure playing for the Knights at the moment.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Money aside, it’s probably a good place for his development. Not a lot of pressure playing for the Knights at the moment.

I disagree with this statement.

When someone is the highest paid player or very close to it in the team, then you can never put the money aside. He will be expected to perform at the highest level from day 1.

The fact that Newcastle are dross at the moment will bring even more pressure again as the fans will be expecting the new guys to elevate the team. Have a look at some of the comments about him on the Knights facebook page for an example. Knights fans are already expecting the next Joey.

The best thing that can happen to this kid is for the Cowboys to keep him for the balance of his contract. Then he'll be allowed to slot into a successful team, on the wing and develop his game for a while without any pressure on him.

If he goes to the knights this year he'll have a tough time of it.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I don’t think the pressure is on Ponga at all. If the club is willing to make a kid with 2 first grade games under his belt the highest paid player at the club then that’s on them. If it were an established player and they just phoned it in like Darius Boyd did while he was there then I’d agree with you.