More details have emerged regarding Dylan Brown’s high-profile signing and its potential impact on Kalyn Ponga’s future.
Newcastle are reportedly preparing to offer Ponga the richest deal in NRL history to fend off growing interest from the Roosters, with Phil Rothfield highlighting a key reason behind the Knights’ pursuit of Brown. The club recently made headlines by securing Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown on a record-breaking 10-year, $13 million deal, a move that has sparked debate across the league.
Brown’s signing has naturally raised questions about Ponga’s future, with many speculating that Newcastle may struggle to retain the star fullback. Ponga is currently earning around $1.4 million per season, with his contract set to expire in 2027.
Speculation about Ponga’s next move continues, with rugby union expressing interest and links to the Roosters gaining traction. The Roosters, who have significant space in their salary cap, could be looking for a successor to James Tedesco, who will be 33 by the start of next season.
However, the Knights are reportedly already taking steps to secure Ponga’s long-term future. According to Code Sports, the club is prepared to offer him a deal worth $2 million per season to stay until 2030. The Knights are betting on a potential increase in the NRL salary cap as the league negotiates a new TV deal, which could make Brown’s $1.3 million-a-year contract seem less significant in the future.
Knights recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan confirmed that discussions with Ponga will begin in the coming weeks. Dismissing rumors of Ponga’s potential departure, O’Sullivan expressed confidence in the fullback’s commitment to Newcastle.
“I’m not worried in the slightest,” O’Sullivan told Code Sports. “I know how much Kalyn loves Newcastle. He’s happy here and playing the best footy of his career. I’ll sit down with Kalyn and his dad sometime soon — probably in the next couple of weeks — and see where they stand.”
Why the Dylan Brown signing matters for Ponga
The signing of Dylan Brown has sparked plenty of debate, with his massive 10-year contract raising eyebrows in the rugby league community. While $1.3 million per season is a significant investment, O’Sullivan and the Knights are confident that Brown will strengthen the team. Speaking to Channel Nine, Brown emphasized that the Knights knew exactly what they were getting.
“Right now, no, I’m not a seven — I’m a six,” Brown said. “I’ve always played six, and I’m my own player. The Knights spoke to me about that, and they’re willing to take me as I am.”
Rothfield, however, suggested that signing Brown was about more than just improving the squad — it was a strategic move to convince Ponga to stay. He explained that O’Sullivan wanted to secure key players like Brown, Phoenix Crossland, and David Sharpe before approaching Ponga to present a positive vision for the club’s future.
“There’s still strong talk that Ponga could head to the Roosters in 2028 as a replacement for James Tedesco,” Rothfield said on The Big Sports Breakfast. “There’s genuine interest from the Roosters, and they’ll be ready to move when the time is right. But Peter O’Sullivan wanted to lock down Brown, Crossland, and Sharpe first. He didn’t want to approach Ponga until he could give him a clear picture of where the club was headed.”
Ponga focused on winning a premiership with Newcastle
Rothfield also pushed back on suggestions that Ponga was unhappy at Newcastle, insisting that the fullback remains fully committed to the club. He even suggested that Ponga skipped the international schedule to focus on helping the Knights achieve success.
“I don’t believe Kalyn wants to leave for the Roosters. He loves Newcastle and is deeply connected to the club,” Rothfield said. “He wants to win a premiership so badly that he gave up an Australian jersey. If he does sign a new deal, I believe there are only two players who could command $2 million a season — Nathan Cleary and Kalyn Ponga.”
