Kalyn Ponga

A Mackay Souths junior, Kalyn Ponga was born in Western Australia, but spent his early years in Mount Isa. His family moved to New Zealand when he was eight, and golf was his sporting preference.

When the family returned Australia, they settled in Mackay, and Ponga played junior league, and also school footy, for Mackay State High, making an Australian under 15 merit side.

As a youngster, he overcame a life-threatening brain abscess to become a hotly pursued talent, capable of playing multiple codes. He was on a Brisbane Broncos' scholarship when he attended 'Churchie' (Anglican Church Grammar School) in Brisbane, but also attracted the interest of Queensland Reds rugby union and AFL's Brisbane Lions.

Ponga brings a lot of people to this game. There's a lot og young kids running around backyards pretending they're KP.

Adam O'Brien Newcastle Knights coach

Rugby league was his favourite sport, and he signed for North Queensland Cowboys in 2016, playing under 20s, before making his NRL debut on the wing, in a sudden-death semi-final against the Broncos. The Cowboys won, and Ponga retained his place for the preliminary final, but the Cowboys lost to eventual premiers, Cronulla.

Ponga played seven NRL games in 2017, and starred in the National Youth Competition. Although he had elected to remain in league, there was a representative tug-of-war for his services, between Queensland and New Zealand, with Queensland winning out.

Ponga joined Newcastle Knights in 2018, on a long-term deal, moving to the Hunter River city with his parents and little sister.

In 2018, he became the youngest winner of the NRL Players' Association's Players' Champion award, and finished second on the Dally M leader board, behind champion New Zealand Warriors' fullback, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

At the Knights, Ponga won the Player of the Year; Players' Player and Community Player of the Year awards. Ponga made his Queensland State of Origin debut in Game II of the 2018 series, in Sydney, coming off the bench.

Earmarked as the long-term fullback replacement for the legendary Billy Slater, Ponga has played only four games for Queensland since his debut, due to injuries.

He started at fullback in Game I and Game II of the 2019 series, and took on the goal kicking role. He missed the entire 2020 series and sat out the first two matches of the 2021 series, but made a big impact in Queensland's 20-18 win in Game III.

2022 was a mixed year of footy for Kalyn who had issues with injuries through the season. However, in Maroon Ponga enjoyed a breakout series where he starred for Queensland at fullback. Ponga was instrumental for Queensland in their series victory, in particular Game III where he claimed Man of the Match honours.