It’s hard to find the words to describe the 2019 season of Kalyn Ponga.
Despite starting the year in the unfamiliar role of five-eighth, Ponga solidified his status as both one of the best players in the world and a non-stop highlight-generating machine.
The man known as ‘KP’ provided some of the most exciting moments for nib Newcastle Knights fans this year, with his electrifying right-foot step bringing fans out of their seats from round one all the way through the season.
Ponga’s stunning form in the first half of the season saw him rewarded with a Maroons jersey come Origin time. Ponga excelled in the first game of the series, before picking up an injury in game two which kept him out for three weeks.
Ponga’s numbers speak for themselves.
The No.1 played 20 matches in the red and blue this season, scoring 11 tries and kicking 48 goals at 80% accuracy.
He also managed to notch nine try assists, 15 line-breaks and 105 tackle breaks. He ran for 2557 metres, averaging 128 per game.
Ponga’s defence at the back also improved out of sight, with the 21-year-old making 113 tackles, many of them try-saving.
With another year’s experience under his belt and a full pre-season awaiting him, Ponga is set to explode in 2020.
