As the 2024 NRL premiership season draws closer, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis weighs in on which player at every club needs a big 2024.
In this iteration, Carayannis looks at which players from the Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers are under the most pressure to perform.
Newcastle Knights
Kalyn Ponga
“He is the Newcastle Knights,” Carayannis declared on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It was one of the most remarkable seasons last year and it’s been underplayed a little bit that there were some serious question marks over whether he’d play rugby league again after that concussion (in Round 2).
“He returned with this edge and determination that we hadn’t seen with Kalyn Ponga.
“He put the team on his back, got them into finals and won a Dally M medal in the process.
“It was one of the most remarkable 8 months we have ever seen any person have.
“He’s the highest paid player in the game and finally, he played like it.
“If he can do it again, the Knights can do some serious damage in the competition.”
Penrith Panthers
Jarome Luai
“It’s obviously because of what has happened to Jarome in the last few months,” Carayannis added.
“He was frustrated with Penrith before Christmas when it was leaked by the club that he was leaving.
“The headlines he attracts he often brings upon himself.
“He will probably be on this (pressure) list two years in a row.
“We have seen so many Panthers players sign for a rival club 12 months out and have success in their final year.
“They produced elite performances and I think Jarome can do the same.”
The Knights host the Canberra Raiders in Round 1 whilst the Panthers travel to Melbourne to take on the Storm.