Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga has taken out the 2023 Dally M Medal after a stunning individual season, saying his turnaround started on a holiday amidst a nightmare concussion run.
Ponga’s 56 votes saw him beat out Warriors star Shaun Johnson by a single vote in a thrilling count that went down to the final game of round 26 when the Knights beat the Sharks.
Both men didn’t play round 27.
“Pretty crazy feeling standing up here in front of so much talent, there’s so much talent in this league and to be standing in front of you, I feel honoured, humbled and very lucky,” Ponga said on Wednesday night.
“I had an early season holiday and while I was over there I decided that I wanted to stop letting people down and start making people proud.
“I think I came back and did that, what a year.”
Earlier in the year, many feared Kalyn Ponga would be lost to rugby league, such was his issues with concussion.
However, after travelling to Canada for specialist treatment, Ponga came back and was raring to go.
A shift back to fullback proved monumental for the star and the club, with the Knights pushing on to a fifth placed finish.
“I have a lot of people to thank, my family, the coaching staff and my teammates, 100 per cent without you guys, this isn’t possible and the way I felt and the way I played this year isn’t possible without your support, love and belief in me,” he said.
Ponga becomes just the third Knights player to take out the honour, joining Immortal Andrew Johns (1998, 1999, 2002) and Danny Buderus (2004).
He was also named the Dally M fullback of the year, after collecting 21 try assists and 19 line breaks across his 20 matches.
His Dally M comes after Knights No.1 Tamika Upton took home the NRLW Dally M Medal, meaning the club becomes the first to have both a male and female winner in the one season.
Upton also praised Newcastle in her acceptance speech.
“I’ll start with the Newcastle club. I think from the moment I stepped foot there I’ve been supported from the start and everyone involved and that spreads to my teammates, I’m pretty lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing players and people,” Upton said on Wednesday night.
