1 day Ago By Max McKinney
Knights forward Mat Croker has leapt to the defence of Kalyn Ponga, saying Newcastle's skipper is leaving no stone unturned in an attempt to kickstart the team's campaign. Login or signup to continue reading Ponga, who has played every minute of Newcastle's seven games this season, has been busy at fullback but in a side collectively struggling is yet to have the type of impact he has had in seasons gone by. Outside of a 26-12 win over the Dolphins in round two, in which he had a hand in three tries, Ponga has only recorded one other try-assist, in a round-three loss, and he is yet to score a try in 2025.
Across seven games, he has forced six goal-line dropouts and produced some desperate try-saving tackles, but only mad two line-breaks. By comparison, in 16 games last season, he recorded 11 try-assists, 17 line-breaks and scored three tries. The year prior in his Dally M Medal-winning 2023 season, across 20 appearances he notched 21 try-assists, 19 line-breaks and nine tries.
Ponga's reduced impact has led to some fans suggesting he "looks disinterested", and once again raised speculation about his long-term future at the club. "I can tell you first hand, as a best mate of his, that he is not leaving any stone unturned each week," Croker said. "Sure things might not click for him in the game at the moment, but .
.. we're very close.
"It's not really clicking for anyone, but once it does, I think everyone will realise they've made up their minds wrong about 'KP'. "Every week he is in here, he is leading us, he speaks the most, he does the most work, he is out there longer than anybody else. "He is not leaving any stone unturned.
"He is not just going to let this season go by, he is going after it. "All that [contract speculation] is false. All that's false.
" Ponga's form amid Newcastle's five-game losing streak also raises questions about whether he will feature for Queensland in the upcoming State of Origin series. The eight-time Origin representative has a golden opportunity to reclaim Queensland's No.1 jersey after Maroons incumbent Reece Walsh suffered a knee injury in recent weeks.
Walsh is sidelined for the month leading up to Origin I on May 28 in Brisbane and is likely out of contention. Ponga, who came off the bench in Origin III last year, will likely come into consideration to play fullback for the Maroons, but another contender Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has fired in recent rounds. After a slow start in a Dolphins side that lost their opening four games, the Redcliffe custodian has now scored five tries in four games.
Croker, who is on the verge of inking a new two-year deal at the Knights, said Ponga and the rest of Newcastle's playing group were feeling just as frustrated as many supporters after their run of five consecutive losses, which has come after back-to-back wins in the opening two rounds. "It's tough. It is frustrating," he said.
"These losses aren't coming without a care for the club. It's not like we intentionally go out there and choose to lose. "We are actually really putting in a fair bit of effort, and I think that's why it is a bit frustrating.
"The town is really good when you win, [but] they're actually pretty good when you lose. There's a lot of strong members here that get behind you when times are tough." Used as an interchange forward for the majority of his 65 NRL appearances, Croker has made rare starts at lock the past two games while Newcastle have had several middle-men sidelined with injuries.
Dylan Lucas returned in last week's 26-12 loss to the Warriors , while Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott have been named to face South Sydney on Saturday. Jack Hetherington (shoulder) remains unavailable. Croker said the team had missed their experience, but rookies Jermaine McEwen, Tom Cant and Tyrone Thompson had gained invaluable game time.
The 25-year-old admitted Newcastle "do have to get more flow and rhythm" in their attack, but he believes they're not far away. "I feel like we're very close," he said. "I feel like once it does click, a little bit of belief within the group to know that it can work, and then we'll turn our season around.
"If you look at the weekend, we had a couple of little chances there that went begging. There was a try disallowed from Greg and a dropped ball from 'Schills'. "That's what creates the frustration, when you're real close.
" Max McKinney is a sports reporter with the Newcastle Herald. He previously worked in news, covering mainly local government and transport. Max mostly reports on the Newcastle Knights, but also covers a mix of local sport.
Max McKinney is a sports reporter with the Newcastle Herald. He previously worked in news, covering mainly local government and transport. Max mostly reports on the Newcastle Knights, but also covers a mix of local sport.
Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Weekdays Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.
Weekdays Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Weekly Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Weekly Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.
Weekly Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Weekly The latest news, results & expert analysis. Weekly Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update.
Weekly Get the latest property and development news here. Weekly Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Weekdays Sharp.
Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.
Twice weekly Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Twice weekly Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Weekly Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.
As it happens Be the first to know when news breaks. Daily Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Daily Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia.
Fresh daily!.
