Ponga and Brailey on spine combinations and sharing captaincy duties

With only limited time spent together on the field over the past few seasons, nib Newcastle Knights Co-Captains Kalyn Ponga and Jayden Brailey have enjoyed lining up alongside each other once again.

The pair only spent one and half games together in 2022 due to injuries to both players, but after a strong pre-season, the five-eighth and hooker are ready to fire in 2023.

Although disappointed with the opening result, Brailey made 49 tackles for zero missed against the Warriors while Ponga had three tackle breaks and a try-assist.

The two Co-Captains joined the KNIGHTS // HQ Podcast to talk about captaining the red and blue together, how the new look spine combination is coming along and preview this weekend's huge match-up against the Tigers. Listen on Apple or Spotify.

"We've only played a handful of games together over the last few years through injury. If we can hold our spine together, keep evolving, I mean it's just going to be so exciting," Ponga said.

"There was a lot of good of things to takeaway from the game. We were disappointed obviously with the outcome, never want to lose, but if we look at where we are compared to last year, there is a lot of great signs."

"The biggest thing for us is staying on the field as much as possible, that is the best thing for us. For us the spine, we just want to keep building on those combinations," Brailey said.

"We've got Jacko and Lachie Miller who are both new to the Club, I thought they were both outstanding (in Round 1). It's only Round 1, and there were a lot of positives to take out of it.

"We're going to get better."

The boys took on the very first teammates challenge as we quiz the boys on each other from biggest fears, go to pub feeds, man crushes and Club debut games.

Ahead of Round 2, we look ahead to the Tigers game and competing for the Allan McMahon Shield this Sunday at Leichhardt Oval.

KP and Brails also discuss the captaincy including what it means to them, who does what role and Jayden's impeccable coin toss record.

We finish off on some fan questions sent in via our Instagram story. Make sure to listen in to hear if your questions were answered by the boys.