Knights expect Ponga to be target for Stuart's Raiders

Newcastle ace Kalyn Ponga seems set to return from the shoulder injury he copped in round 26. (Darren Pateman/AAP PHOTOS)

Newcastle expect Kalyn Ponga to be heavily targeted by Canberra after the superstar fullback declared he is on track to play in their do-or-die NRL finals clash.

Ponga trained without the use of painkillers on Thursday, and while there was minimal contact his shoulder is expected to be needled up for Sunday's elimination final in Newcastle.

Sidelined since he suffered a high-grade AC joint injury in round 26, Ponga is arguably the most important player for Newcastle since the days of Andrew Johns.

And at this stage, all remains on track.

"The shoulder is good," Ponga said on Thursday.

"I trained today, got everything I needed out of it. So pretty confident I am playing Sunday.

"Today was that biggest session, to tick that off gives me confidence into Sunday.

"I'll do everything I can to manage what I can leading into the game. But I do feel pretty good. I'm pretty excited about the occasion."

The Knights are confident that Ponga cannot suffer additional damage to the joint and whether he plays is a matter of pain tolerance.

Newcastle also received a boost with Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) and Jackson Hastings (ankle) also getting through the session unscathed and on track to play.

But it is Ponga who will attract the most attention.

The most important player in Newcastle's storming run from 14th to fifth on the NRL ladder, the Knights expect him to be roughed up on Sunday.

Coach Adam O'Brien said he would have no issue with that, as long as Ricky Stuart's Canberra team did not act illegally to hurt the 25-year-old.

"If I was coach, I would (target him). It's like Billy Slater when he came up against Ricky's teams, he always copped a lot of attention," O'Brien said. 

"I think he's at the top of everyone's tip sheet every week. And that's fine, I think as long as it's within the rules of the game, then it's open slather and KP understands that. 

"But if it's outside the rules, if he's going to get hit late or anything outside the rules I expect the rules to be enforced.

"I know that they will want to make this a street fight, they will want to slow it down and make it as gritty as possible."

Riding the wave of nine straight wins into the finals, O'Brien said he had not attempted to hide his team from the hype in Newcastle.

"I haven't shielded away or said it's just another week and locked them away from it," O'Brien said. 

"We've actually embraced it, especially early in the week. I think that's important that they do embrace it. 

"They feel good and understand it's great for our town to be really happy. But we also understand we've still got a job to do on Sunday."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store