Kalyn Ponga has the Knights at their attacking best as another masterclass from the superstar fullback guided his side to a 44-10 victory over the Dragons in Wollongong on Saturday afternoon.
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In just his second game back from a hamstring injury, Ponga had a hand in seven tries as he completely dismantled the Dragons’ defence.
Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook called the opening 40 minutes their most clinical of the season, while winger Greg Marzhew finished the game with a club record five tries.
Ponga is unbeaten the four games he’s played this season and the Knights are averaging a staggering 37.5 points per game when he’s on the field.
Ponga and Dylan Brown are two of the highest-paid playmakers in the competition, earning over $2.5 million between them, and when they’re on the field they’re earning their keep.
It’s going to be a long rebuild for the Dragons who are still winless after 10 rounds, having lost 13 in a row dating back to last season, and they don’t look like breaking the duck anytime soon.
Ponga back to his best
The Knights’ attack in 2026 when Ponga plays is now rivalling the mind-boggling numbers from the club’s glory years when Andrew Johns was in his prime.
Johns took Newcastle to their most-recent premiership in 2001 and that star-studded side averaged 30.8 points per game.
The Knights were a different team when Johns played and the same stark contrast is now being seen with Ponga.
This season they have averaged just 21 points per game without Ponga but with him that number skyrockets to 37.5.
FIVE OF THE BEST
Greg Marzhew equalled the Newcastle record of most tries in a match, joining Edrick Lee in finishing a game with five to his name.
Lee did it against the Titans in 2022 and Marzhew etched his name into the record books in the dying stages after also scoring in the 7th, 23rd, 53rd and 57th minutes.
Marzhew finished with 213 run metres from 18 carries that produced 12 tackles busts and seven line breaks to go with his tries.
“To be honest I’m just as shocked as you guys… Kalyn and Bradman make my job so much easier,” Marzhew said on Fox League.
ORIGIN WATCH
Kalyn Ponga looks a certainty to be picked in Billy Slater’s Queensland squad next week and could pip Broncos star Reece Walsh for the No. 1 jersey.
Knights centre Bradman Best has put his hand up for a NSW recall to replace either Latrell Mitchell who is under an injury cloud.
Conversely, Queensland veteran Valentine Holmes admitted last week he’s down on form and he endured another tough afternoon on Saturday.
“His defensive efforts and reads have not been anywhere near what he prides himself on… I do not think we will see him in a Queensland jersey. But when they put a Queensland jersey on, they do grow another leg,” Luke Keary says in commentary for Fox League.
EARLY RESOLVE CRUMBLES
The Dragons looked far more intent in defence in the opening 10 minutes with some crunching tackles on their own line, but it didn’t last.
Responding to setbacks was the focus this week after getting thrashed by the Roosters last week but not much changed in Wollongong on Saturday.
“It’s like a training run,” Luke Keary said at one point on Fox League.
They’ve now conceded 106 points in the two games since sacking coach Shane Flanagan.
Originally published as Kalyn Ponga makes irresistible Origin statement as Knights belt woeful Dragons
