They may have locked down Dylan Brown on a mammoth ten-year deal, but the Knights are set to face fierce competition to keep Kalyn Ponga, with the Roosters reportedly circling the superstar fullback.
Ponga has been linked to the Roosters for months now amid reports he’s not happy at the Knights, with Adam O’Brien even defending Ponga in Thursday night’s post-match press conference.
Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
However, it’s been revealed by veteran journalist Andrew Webster that the Roosters’ interest in Ponga is legitimate, with the glamour club keen to make a massive play to secure the services of the fullback when his deal with Newcastle ends in 2027.
“The bigger story out of this is what it means for Kalyn Ponga and his future. He’s got two years to run at the Knights,” Webster said on SEN’s Morning Glory.
“The thing I want to make clear today, there’s been all this talk that Kalyn Ponga to the Roosters is speculative because of his relationship with Roosters recruitment manager Clint Zammit, well take it to the absolute bank that it’s more than that.
“This is on.
“The Roosters are definitely looking at trying to get Ponga there from 2028-onwards and it’s all part of a bigger rebuild at that club.”
MORE NRL NEWS
LATE MAIL: Broncos reveal why Haas left training early
‘NOT 100%’: Ponga rumour won’t go away… and it could spell ‘disaster’ for Knights
BREAKDOWN: Inside Munster’s masterclass; how Reynolds pulled off the unthinkable
“Breaks my heart” – Matty on Brown deal | 01:08
Roosters chairman Nick Politis is known for being able to pull off a massive recruitment coup, with Sonny-Bill Williams and Cooper Cronk two examples that spring to mind.
There have been rumours that Politis is considering stepping down, but according to Webster, that won’t happen until Politis lands another big fish.
“He will want a kill before he finishes and that kill, I have no doubt, is Kalyn Ponga at the Roosters,” Webster said.
The 2023 Dally M winner isn’t free to negotiate with rivals clubs until November 1, 2026, given he doesn’t ink an extension with Newcastle before then.
It might be hard for the Knights to keep Ponga beyond 2027 given Brown’s huge deal, with the two set to take up nearly a quarter of the team’s salary cap in 2026.
O’Brien and Ponga discuss Brown signing | 10:06
In addition, while many believe the Brown deal was a way for the Knights to get Ponga some help going forward, Webster says it was just as much a contingency plan.
“I’ve got no doubt that the Dylan Brown deal at the Knights was as much about getting a quality playmaker, but also insurance in case Kalyn goes,” he said.
“I want to make this clear. I’m not saying hat he wants out, I’m not saying he’s unhappy … but he wants to win a comp.
“If he can’t get it done with Dylan Brown there in 2026 and 2027 he might want to have a look at being part of a revolution with the Roosters from 2028-onwards.”
Discussion about this post