Rumoured Targets 3

[PhilGould]

PONGA SWITCH AS KNIGHTS CHASE SEA EAGLE

Superstar Kalyn Ponga may have played his last game at fullback for Newcastle.

And it has nothing to do with the toilet cubicle drama that has left genuine question marks around his leadership and captaincy.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal it’s part of a plan to get the million-dollar man more involved from the halves. And it also opens up the fullback role for an attempt to sign Manly Sea Eagles star Reuben Garrick.

Garrick still has a year to run on his Sea Eagles contract but wants to play fullback.

That can’t happen next year with the return of champion fullback Tom Trbojevic.

Garrick is on winger’s money and could double his money as a fullback at a rival club.

Whether the Knights can negotiate an early release from Manly remains to be seen.

Ponga has returned to non-contact training with the Knights and has been running at five-eighth, not fullback.

He’s also told coach Adam O’Brien he is happy to play where it most benefits the side.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/saint-sinner-shoosh-boxing-referee-judge-call-for-paul-gallen-doubleheader-to-be-scrapped/news-story/c53dada668f904bec1358fe8a71c6e6a?amp

 

[Frederick]

Yes please

 

[TooheysNew]

Absolutely.

 

[macavity]

A lot easier to find a fullback than a half.

And he is a goal kicker.

I find it kind of ridiculous people saying Ponga can't do it... Hynes has absolutely slayed it, are we saying Ponga isn't in the same class?

 

[Loose Cannon]

Absolute no-brainer.

Nice to know Ponga is willing to do “what most benefits the side”. This is an interesting development, if true.

 

[Spot On]

Well hello, who is it that has finally worked out that Ponga should be in the halves and that we need a decent fullback?

This will be interesting to watch.

 

[macavity]

Also.. makes Nick Meaney look like a massive loss. Could have had the local bloke who is basically a carbon copy of Garrick.

 

[Knight Tales]

Another yes here for Garrick. It could mean the end of our pursuit of Brooks. No reason Ponga cannot be the main playmaker. Would transform him and his game.

 

[Spot On]

Also.. makes Nick Meaney look like a massive loss. Could have had the local bloke who is basically a carbon copy of Garrick.

He was one bloke that I wanted to keep here. I thought he showed so potential. Glad he’s doing so well.

 

[Spot On]

I find it kind of ridiculous people saying Ponga can't do it... Hynes has absolutely slayed it, are we saying Ponga isn't in the same class?

I’m led to believe he is.

But I query his toughness in comparison to Hynes - mental and physical - week in, week out.

 

[macavity]

He was one bloke that I wanted to keep here. I thought he showed so potential. Glad he’s doing so well.

I thought we were mental for not going all out to convince him to stay and play wing and fill in at fullback.

Frustrating he seemed happy enough to play it elsewhere but not for us.

 

[Yosh]

I'd have 4 Garricks over 1 Brooks. We have needed a goal kicker for 4 seasons now.

 

[perverse]

Honestly, I think the biggest news here is probably that Kalyn may have been delivered a little attitude adjustment in light of recent events. Post-cubicle incident would have been fantastic timing to sit down with him and have a couple of chats regarding his value to the club, the team, etc.

But yes, moving him to the halves and getting a dependable fullback is a no brainer.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Some interesting possible developments here. Garrick would be a good signing, he’s hard working with plenty of speed and and is a good goal kicker too. KP to 5/8 would make sense in the long run as we need him to get the ball as much as possible.

Tyson Gamble is an interesting one. He does seem like a bit of a grub but I think we sort of need someone like that in the team. A guy who can get the boys fired up a bit and inject some energy into the group. Considering our current halves situation and the overall quality of off contract halves across the league, he’s definitely not the worst option out there. At least we’d get him fairly cheap so it’s a roll of the dice without betting much on it. I can get behind it.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Honestly, I think the biggest news here is probably that Kalyn may have been delivered a little attitude adjustment in light of recent events. Post-cubicle incident would have been fantastic timing to sit down with him and have a couple of chats regarding his value to the club, the team, etc.

But yes, moving him to the halves and getting a dependable fullback is a no brainer.

This is my take, too. Maybe the power struggle has been rectified. Timing may well suggest so.

 

[Jono078]

You can all call me crazy but I genuinely think Gamble is exactly the half we need for next year. He doesn’t back peddle and he’s not afraid to get dirty. Our guys need someone screaming at them to get their job done. Clune and Clifford are too soft for that. I seriously believe Gamble enhances our team a decent amount.

Garrick I’d also be on board with but it is a more expensive option and I wouldn’t exactly say he’s the best fullback. He’s had some awful one-on-one beats recently. His goal kicking would be a huge addition.

1 Ponga
6 Clifford
7 Gamble
9 Brailey

I think there’s some good balance there and once again don’t underestimate what Gamble’s attitude and will to win will do for our forwards.

 

[Bdubs]

PONGA SWITCH AS KNIGHTS CHASE SEA EAGLE

Superstar Kalyn Ponga may have played his last game at fullback for Newcastle.

And it has nothing to do with the toilet cubicle drama that has left genuine question marks around his leadership and captaincy.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal it’s part of a plan to get the million-dollar man more involved from the halves. And it also opens up the fullback role for an attempt to sign Manly Sea Eagles star Reuben Garrick.

Garrick still has a year to run on his Sea Eagles contract but wants to play fullback.

That can’t happen next year with the return of champion fullback Tom Trbojevic.

Garrick is on winger’s money and could double his money as a fullback at a rival club.

Whether the Knights can negotiate an early release from Manly remains to be seen.

Ponga has returned to non-contact training with the Knights and has been running at five-eighth, not fullback.

He’s also told coach Adam O’Brien he is happy to play where it most benefits the side.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/saint-sinner-shoosh-boxing-referee-judge-call-for-paul-gallen-doubleheader-to-be-scrapped/news-story/c53dada668f904bec1358fe8a71c6e6a?amp

That is the most positive article i have seen about our club in ages.

Please make it happen, Garrick also solves our goal kicking issues as well

 

[Bdubs]

I’m led to believe he is.

But I query his toughness in comparison to Hynes - mental and physical - week in, week out.

to be fair most of Ponga's issues have been HIA due to opposition players trying to take his head off

 

[Old dog]

Signing Garrick would be a huge plus and we get a very good goalkicker.
Ponga to 5/8 makes sense and even playing that position every week doesn’t rule him out of SOO as f/b.

 

[Yosh]

1. Garrick
6. Ponga
7. Gamble
9. Brailey
13. Elliot
14. Clifford

Does look better than what we have now.