Newcastle Knights talisman Kalyn Ponga gearing up for a return to the NRL field after recovering from yet another head knock.
He originally provided a positive update after undergoing concussion testing in Canada.
The Newcastle five-eighth is currently sidelined after a head knock in a match against Wests Tigers in early March.
The Sporting News has the latest updates on the Knights star.
14/04/23 - Kalyn Ponga likely to remain at five-eighth
Ahead of a potential return for Newcastle, Ponga has opened up on the difficult situation he found himself in after suffering another sickening head knock, while also confirming he would likely remain at five-eighth.
“It was pretty difficult," he told AAP. "To have that thought that you might have to stop playing was pretty weird.
“But I was trying to be positive and open-minded about everything that was happening. I'm pretty good at doing that, to be honest.”
Ponga revealed his immediate future boiled down to a six-minute test he conducted in Canada where he was told it would be safe for him to continue playing.
“At the end of that test, they had objective data on where my brain‘s at," he said.
“The reassuring thing for me was they said that if I was just a normal person that didn't have the head knock history, they would say I’m pretty good.
“Going over to Canada and getting that clarity, personally I found it so beneficial. I'm so grateful that I got to go over there.”
10/04/23 - Kalyn Ponga feared retirement was a possibility
After suffering four concussions in the past 10 months there was genuine concern for Ponga’s career.
With it now confirmed that Ponga will return to action in a few weeks he has revealed his relief about the whole situation.
“I’m good. Four weeks ago there was talk about retirement,” Ponga said.
“To go over to Canada and get clarity about what I am doing and what I can do, it’s reassuring for me. I should be back in not too long.
“We got the best result I could over there. That was the result I got, that you are able to go back and play. Your brain is in a healthy position to do so, [which is] really reassuring and positive news.
“I just want to get back on the field, doing what I love with the boys."
With Ponga now medically cleared the Knights will have their Origin star follow a roadmap on his journey back to playing footy.
“There’s everything from footy contact to the type of tackles that we think that he’ll experience,” Knights coach O’Brien said.
“There’s a whole lot of thought that has gone into it all, and we’ve actually started some of it, but rather than me going and handing it all over to everyone, we’ll just go about it over the next few weeks and we’ll work out whether he’s right to go, and if he’s not, we’ll go another week.”
06/04/23 - Kalyn Ponga cleared to make NRL return
In a major boost for the Newcastle Knights, Kalyn Ponga has been approved to return to rugby league.
The five-eighth's condition was reviewed by the club and independent concussion consultants with it determined he is ready to continue his return through the team's performance program.
The club intends to have their star player available by Round 8 in three weeks' time.
“We are comfortable with the objective evidence from our independent testing, indicating normalisation of his cognitive function,” Newcastle Knights director of football Peter Parr said in a statement.
“Kalyn has recovered well from his recent concussion, however he has had limited specific training due to the amount of travel he has had to undertake in recent weeks.
“We will now focus on building his physical and tactical performance, with an aim to return in Round 8 against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.”
31/03/23 - Kalyn Ponga shares 'incredibly positive' update on concussion recovery
Ponga has taken to social media to share an update on his health after travelling to Canada to undergo treatment for concussion issues that have plagued him in recent times.
"This trip has been incredibly positive and the goal of finding more information has been achieved," he posted to Instagram.
"I have clarity around what I need to do for my recover but not only that, how I can improve my brain function and performance has been reassuring for me."
Ponga revealed that while he would be keeping some of the information gathered confidential, he hoped he could prove a useful case study for other athletes in the future who may suffer from similar issues.
24/03/23 - Kalyn Ponga undergoes specialist head injury testing in Canada
The Newcastle Knights had opted to send Ponga to Canada where he is able to take part in further assessments.
The decision was made by the club in conjunction with Professor Chris Levi, an independent concussion consultant.
In a club statement, the Knights outlined how Ponga would undergo testing using a device that measures neurophysiological markers.
The intention is to use the findings to assist with clinical decision-making regarding the five-eighth's recovery.
Ponga travelled to Vancouver for the assessment, since the technology is only approved for use in Northern America.
“Management of concussion is a complex issue for everyone involved, we see this an opportunity to gather additional information to assist Kalyn in his recovery,” Knights director of football Peter Parr added.
“Our broader aim, under the guidance of Professor Levi, is to develop a model of care that will advance our capacity in supporting players with concussion.
“Kalyn remains in good spirits and wishes to thank everyone who has enquired about his health.”
Kalyn Ponga concussion history
Ponga has an unfortunate history of head knocks, headlined by a brutal 2022 season.
The Knights skipper suffered three concussions in the space of six weeks last year, which resulted in him hanging the boots up before the conclusion of the campaign.
His latest head knock - against the Tigers in Round 2 - has seen former players and experts concerned about his long-term viability in the league.
"My concern with Kalyn – and I’ve retired two players because of repeated concussions in my career – is the ease with which it happens now," Phil Gould said.
"I don’t see those knocks as anything over the top that should be causing those sorts of problems for him, it just seems now the ease with the collisions, he seems to react badly to it.
"That’s not a good sign. I think his career is in jeopardy, to be honest – I don’t know how you sort through that."
