By his own lofty standards, it was one of the least influential performances of Kalyn Ponga's career against the North Queensland Cowboys last weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But Knights fans will be hoping all that does is spell trouble for Manly at Brookvale on Sunday.
The brilliant young fullback has been in great touch since returning from the COVID-19 shutdown against the Canberra Raiders more than a month ago.
In his first game back from suspension, he made 278 metres from 27 runs against the Raiders before following that up with 154 metres in a losing side against the Storm.
Against Brisbane, he was back up to 228 metres from 23 runs. But the domination of the Cowboys forwards coupled with a clever kicking game plan from coach Paul Green effectively took Ponga out of the game.
Toohey's News: Listen to Barry Toohey's new podcast in your Podcast app
His 13 runs of the footy yielded just 86 metres, one of the lowest hauls of his career while the tactics of the Cowboys to regularly find touch with kicks from good field position also heavily impacted his involvement.
It reduced his kick-return metres to a miserly 11. By comparison, he had 90 kick return metres against Melbourne and 77 against the Raiders.
While well aware of the stats, Knights coach Adam O'Brien said a host of factors outside of Ponga's control contributed to him not getting the same opportunities he's normally afforded in matches.
Being dominated by the Cowboys pack and not having control of the ruck meant the Knights play-makers were always on the back foot.
"There were a whole host of factors at play last weekend and the boys didn't do each other any favours," O'Brien said. "It's why every single one of them and us as coaches as well - we have all owned the performance.
"We got left in the blocks at the start and our lethargy was compounded by five play one turnovers which is totally out of character for us this season."
Asked if he expected similar kicking tactics from the Sea Eagles on Sunday, O'Brien said: "We can't control what they decide to do kicking-wise apart from try and influence where they are kicking the ball from.
"But if they want to do that and give our middles a rest when they do it, rest assured we'll use it as an invitation to come at them even harder. That'll be the mindset we have with it anyway."
O'Brien expects Ponga and the rest of his side to respond positively from all the negativity out of the Cowboys loss.
"We are going to find out the character in this side, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"I can't fault their attitude this week. There has been a real intensity at training and I'd like to think they will carry it into the game on Sunday."
The Knights will have their final training hit-out on Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium with O'Brien expecting to go in with his selected squad barring any late mishaps.
The Knights will take on Manly in a reserve grade scrimmage on Monday.
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Prolific Merewether heroin supplier 'ran his drug operation like a legitimate business'
- Flight risk: Police, doctors screen passengers from Melbourne at Newcastle Airport
- Minister signals trial for new restaurant, bar alcohol rules
- Toohey's News, the Podcast: Darren Mooney was the wizard behind the curtain at the Newcastle Knights
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here