The Sydney Roosters had the upper hand over the Newcastle Knights during their regular season encounters, winning on both occasions they faced off, but the Knights are set to deal a card they haven't been able to play since Round 6, 2024.
In recent history, when the Knights meet the Roosters it is typically a tight contest, with four out of their last five meetings being decided by four points or less, however it is the tri-colours that have come out on top on all of those occasions.
Seemingly, the Knights have not been able to win the arm wrestle when the game is in the balance and are in need of someone to step up and take control of the big moments.
On Sunday they are poised to clash again, but this time it's on the biggest stage on the rugby league calendar, the NRL grand final, where the biggest players step up when it matters most.
For the first time since Round 6, 2024, Kalyn Ponga will take on the Sydney Roosters and he can be the ultimate point of difference for Newcastle.
runs with the ball during the round 20 NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium on July 14, 2023 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
When the sides met back in Round 7 for the first time this season, the Knights shot out to an unexpected 24-12 lead at half-time thanks to an 18-minute hat-trick by Fletcher Hunt.
These attacking forays were evermore impressive considering they were without three of their most damaging attacking weapons, Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Dylan Lucas.
It is impossible to know whether Ponga would have changed the outcome, but his ability to break open a game is precisely what Newcastle lacked when the contest began to slip away.
Though it would be hard to imagine the Novacastrians would have conceded 26 unanswered points in that second half with their skipper at the back.
It isn't just Ponga's attacking brilliance that has caught the eye this season.
The fullback has taken another step forward as a captain in 2026, his maturity in leading a side that has fought its way into the Grand Final and earning a nomination for Captain of the Year in the process is not to be taken lightly, and is testament to the faith coach Justin Holbrook has instilled in him since his arrival this season.
His influence now extends well beyond simply being the man wearing the No.1 jersey.
Ponga himself has acknowledged how much his role within the club has changed, insisting his commitment to Newcastle has never wavered despite outside criticism when talking to Fox Sports.
“I've had coaches in the past that have asked me if I care and stuff like that,” he said.
“It's important to me that my teammates know that I do and they have throughout the years, and I do like competing.
“I think they know now how dedicated I am, how committed I am, and how passionate I am about this club and winning.”
That desire is now being matched by a level of leadership that has helped drag the Knights from last place in 2025 to the brink of a premiership only one season later.
The Knights have looked most damaging when Ponga swings around to the left and either pokes his nose through the line or puts his centre Bradman Best through a hole.
With the Knights scoring thirty-five tries from within their own half in 2026 they can score from anywhere on the field at any time in the game, the man they call 'KP' holds the key to unlocking the Roosters defence but he is not alone.
The continual rise of Fletcher Sharpe, Jermaine McEwen and Francis Manuleleua emphasises the strike options the Knights have across the field before mentioning any of their performing outside backs.
When the sides clashed again in Round 21 it was again a see-sawing affair with the match decided by a 77th minute Daly Cherry-Evans field goal in a 23-22 defeat.
Another match between the two came down to one decisive moment. Another match Ponga couldn't put his fingerprint on the outcome.
Ponga has not faced the Roosters since that 22-20 defeat in Round 6, 2024, a game that featured a number of familiar faces on both sides.
More than two years later, the Knights finally get to unleash their joker card and it's one that continues to evolve.
With a premiership on the line, there may be no better time to play it.
