The emotion of the week finally caught up with Kalyn Ponga, who starred for Newcastle despite their 19-18 defeat to the Sydney Roosters in the NRL grand final.
The Knights fullback was responsible for many of the match’s most dazzling moments – a constant menace with ball in hand on both sides of the field. He saved a four-pointer when pressuring Mark Nawaqanitawase’s aerial put-down in the first half. He ran away for a length-of-the-field try, the undoubted highlight of a thrilling encounter. The headgear, which looked pink as he ran, was impossible to miss.
