Brisbane Broncos closely monitoring Kalyn Ponga’s future at the Newcastle Knights as half search continues

The Brisbane Broncos are closely monitoring the situation of Kalyn Ponga at the Newcastle Knights as the star fullback contemplates his future.

Brisbane are preparing for a massive recruitment drive as they look to rebuild under new coach Kevin Walters. 

Walters would have been pleased with the signs of resilience his side showed in their comeback derby victory against Gold Coast on Friday night. 

It is clear the Broncos want to sign a big-name half with Walters offering an assurance to Brisbane fans that the club will attract a high-profile player. 

MORE: Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire urges fans to be patient as they build for the future

And while that remains a priority for last year’s wooden spooners, they could potentially make a play for one of the biggest stars in the competition. 

There has been speculation the week that Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga could be on Brisbane’s radar. 

Ponga laughed off the speculation while on media duties for the Knights this week, but it’s not set to deter the Broncos from chasing the man set to be the Maroons fullback this year. 

According to The Australian’s Brent Read, until Newcaslte lock in Ponga’s future the 23-year-old is set to be one of the most talked about players this year. 

And he could even attract interest from an expansion club in Queensland. 

“Brisbane are keeping an eye on Kalyn Ponga,” Read said on Triple M’s Saturday Scrum. 

“He’s got options for 2023 and 2024 which means he is essentially off-contract in 18 months time. That means he can go to market on November 1. 

“By then, we’ll know if there’s another Brisbane team coming in the competition and the Broncos will have a better idea how their salary is going to be placed. 

“Ponga said ‘I love Newcastle, I want to win a competition here’. [The talk] is coming from the Broncos who have talked about him internally. 

“Until the Knights get him locked away, then the clock is ticking. 

“Obviously the new Brisbane franchise will be interested in Kalyn Ponga, the Broncos will be interested. 

“It goes beyond those two clubs but he’s such a good player, no matter how many times Kalyn speaks leading into November 1, until he takes up the option this is going to be a story. 

“It’s got the potential to be a huge one because Kalyn has spoken about the All Blacks in the past, there’s a World Cup in 2023, he’s effectively off-contract in 2023.”

It is believed that Brisbane hierarchy have flown to Sydney to meet with South Sydney captain Adam Reynolds to convince him to join the club. 

However, according to Read the 30-year-old is not the Broncos’ number one option with Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses the man they really want.

“Their priority was a half, they could have thrown 300-400 grand at Reece Walsh but they now have the ability to chase a half,” Read said. 

“They’re chasing every quality half in the game. I believe their priority is Mitchell Moses. If they can sign Mitchell, that’s the guy they’ll get. 

“The issue is he’s going to be harder to sign than Reynolds or Johnson, guys who are also well and truly on their radar.”

Surprisingly, two left-field options have also entered the fray as potential options for the Broncos. 

Read confirmed that Cronulla’s Matthew Moylan and English international Gareth Widdop have both been offered to Brisbane for 2022 onwards. 

However, they firmly remain back-up plans for the Broncos.

“Everyone is getting thrown to Brisbane at the moment,” Read said.

“There’s alternative plans for them. Matt Moylan and Gareth Widdop have been offered to them as well. 

“Widdop is in England and potentially will come back at the end of the year. 

“Matty Moylan looks like the odd man out at Cronulla at the moment 

“Both those guys as well have been offered to the Broncos. 

“That will hinge on whether they land a big fish, that’s their priority at the moment. Those guys could come on the radar if that doesn’t happen.”