The Knights’ upcoming contract saga is already underway, set to significantly influence their future.

OPINION

Kalyn Ponga sported a cheeky grin that quickly transformed into an annoyed frown as he sat through a press conference that he would likely have preferred to avoid. This followed his standout performance in the Knights’ second consecutive victory to kick off the 2025 season.

Amidst the ongoing contract drama that has enveloped the NRL in recent weeks, it seems that arguably the league’s premier player has been pushed into the background. This is despite his two stellar individual displays, which surely place him among the frontrunners for a second Dally M Medal.

After accumulating six Dally M votes following last week’s narrow win over the Tigers, Ponga once again distinguished himself as the best player on the field as Newcastle showcased their defensive strength alongside their attacking creativity in a remarkable all-around effort.

However, Ponga’s expression was one of a star under pressure as he and Adam O’Brien faced a barrage of inquiries regarding his future and the recent record-breaking contract signed by Dylan Brown for a massive deal at season’s end.

“It’s pretty wild,” Ponga commented at one point, turning to O’Brien with a grimace about the hot topic of the day.

Wild indeed, but the future of the Knights has suddenly taken precedence over their current season, and a pair of early wins won’t alter that narrative.

Newcastle welcomed this kind of press conference by offering an astronomical contract to a talented player who has yet to genuinely demonstrate himself as a winner.

Even more intriguing are the “whispers” that Ponga may not be entirely convinced that his future remains at Newcastle. For the moment, he appears to be the Batman to Brown’s Robin as they team up, provided he hasn’t left Gotham City by this time next year.

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While this remains the least likely outcome, as Braith Anasta remarked on NRL 360 earlier this week, “whispers” don’t just come from nowhere.

It’s beyond doubt that the Roosters would love to see Ponga succeed James Tedesco once the champion fullback hangs up his boots.

Tedesco, now 32, recently inked a one-year contract keeping him at Bondi until the end of next season.

This deal extends to just shy of his 34th birthday, and it’s not far-fetched to assume that this could be it for one of the best players of his generation, creating a possible opportunity for a stint in the south of France to finish his career in the Super League.

If such a scenario unfolds at Bondi, you wouldn’t be surprised if the influential Roosters chairman Nick Politis endeavours to move mountains to make Ponga the cornerstone of their next premiership team.

The only hitch is that Ponga won’t be free until the following year unless he pushes for an early departure—a situation that has unfolded numerous times in recent years (notably Ben Hunt) despite Peter V’landys voicing concerns about the games played to facilitate early exits.

“The toughest thing for Kalyn is the ongoing speculation regarding his happiness here,” O’Brien remarked after Ponga was asked about chatter suggesting he might be considering a future elsewhere.

Ponga referenced his solid performance, saying, “I thought I had a pretty good game tonight,” and expressed a desire to move on from the topic, as one would expect from a player under contract.

Nevertheless, as Anasta—who holds experience both as a player agent and a media figure—knows, once the rumour mill starts, there’s really only one way to silence it.

If Ponga is keen on dedicating his peak years to Newcastle and striving for a premiership, he should reach out to his manager and request that negotiations for an extension commence.

If the Knights are willing to pay Brown $1.3-$1.4 million a season, they will undoubtedly agree to a similarly substantial pay rise for the superior player, the one who truly holds their future in his hands.

For the speculation and chatter to dissipate, all Ponga must do is make one call, and within a fortnight, he could be signed to a lifetime deal, earning around $2 million a year in his early thirties.

The longer he delays in committing to the Brown project, however fanciful that may seem, the louder the whispers are likely to grow about his search for an escape route.

And should that occur, the Knights may find themselves with Robin but no Batman.