Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga is plotting his next move as he weighs up a big contract call this year.
Ponga, 23, has a massive deal with the Knights through until the end of the 2024 season, but with player options in his favour for the next two seasons, he could depart the club as early as the end of this year.
The fullback has been heavily linked with the NRL’s newest expansion club the Dolphins, but recent reports have suggested that the Queenslander is content in the Hunter Region.
Despite the big money being thrown around, Ponga says his next move will come down to putting himself in the best position to win.
“I guess I’ll look at where I am now,” Ponga said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.
“I’ve always sort of planned ahead and predicted what’s going to happen in the future.
“Hoping that a few things happen, if they don’t then happen, then (I’ll think), ‘Okay, what’s this option? What happens down this road? If that does happen what happens down that road’.
“I’ve sort of already got an idea of what my next few years look like in my head.
“They’re in my head … so I won’t be telling you what they are. It’s not about security or anything, it’s more just, I want to win.
“I just feel like if you get to the end of your contract and you start thinking about your next … two years ago I had the next four years planned in my head, but the goalposts always change.
“For me, in this period of my life, it’s about winning.”
One factor that could keep Ponga in blue and red is the addition to rugby league legend Andrew Johns to the club’s coaching staff.
Johns has spoken glowingly about Ponga in the pre-season and the player himself says it’s been “awesome” to work with the eighth Immortal.
“He’s been pretty good,” Ponga said.
“I didn’t realise how thorough and precise he is about his work.
“Obviously, I’ve heard from him, listened to him on commentary and what not, but to be coached by him is different.
“He’s been passionate too about the club, good with the boys and what he wants to get out of it.
“He’s been awesome to work with, to be honest.”
Ponga and the Knights kick off their 2022 season with a Round 1 clash against the Roosters at the SCG.
Listen to the full chat here.
