Why I re-signed: Ponga excited by Knights’ form surge
Jack Brady |
A sparkling first-half attacking display has reaffirmed Newcastle skipper Kalyn Ponga’s decision to re-sign with the club following the Knights’ thrilling 42-38 shootout victory over South Sydney.
In a game where defence was optional and 14 tries scored, Ponga was instrumental in his return from a six-game layoff as the Knights’ left edge ran riot in the first 40 minutes.
Ponga credited his connection with halves Dylan Brown and Fletcher Sharpe for the four-point win, with winger Greg Marzhew and back-rower Dylan Lucas enjoying five tries between them.
“(That combination is) why I re-signed. It’s a big part of why I stayed here,” Ponga said after the game.
“We hadn’t all played a full game together before today, but I’m not surprised by how well we played.
“We have to keep working, keep holding each other accountable and keep getting better”
Fielding their best side since March, the returns of Ponga (hamstring), Lucas (throat), Marzhew (concussion) and centre Bradman Best (groin) at times proved too much for South Sydney.
Despite racing out to a 28-6 lead, Newcastle never looked a sure thing and their first-half theatrics were long forgotten by the final 10 minutes when South Sydney nudged ahead courtesy of steamrolling centre Latrell Mitchell.
However, a horrible error from Rabbitohs back-rower Euan Aitken handed Newcastle the ball back in familiar territory two minutes later.
In a game where tries were scored in doubles, none were more important than Newcastle prop Trey Mooney’s brace. His second four-pointer came after halfback Brown poked his head through the line before offloading to the Knights’ hard man to end his side’s three-game losing run.
“I thought we were still a chance for sure,” Ponga said.
“We have the strike, but our process and second half wasn’t great.
“We dropped too much ball on our own line against the competition’s best attacking side, so I’m grateful we held on.”
It was all Newcastle early thanks to several jarring South Sydney errors and a suspected broken forearm to centre Jack Wighton within the first 30 minutes.
The Knights made the most of the situation, but they didn’t suspect what was to come after halftime.
Two tries to Cody Walker and further four-pointers to Alex Johnston and Tallis Duncan brought the margin back within single digits, though a strong effort from Marzhew in the 63rd minute to seal his hat-trick proved vital.
“I have lots of thoughts, but I’m just really happy we won. That’s the short answer of it,” Knights coach Justin Holbrook said.
“It certainly helps when you get your best players on the field, but I said to the team during the week we can’t rely on them now that they’re back.
“It felt like round one again because we’re trying to get back going again as a team, having missed several players for so long.
“We’re going to learn a lot out of today. The boys found a way to keep fighting and get the win.”
Newcastle’s victory didn’t come without its hiccups, with Ponga and Dane Gagai placed on report in the final 90 seconds, and Jacob Saifiti leaving the field for a head injury assessment, which he later passed.
AAP