Kalyn Ponga has won the Dally M award, defying his mother’s prediction ahead of the ceremony after the Newcastle Knights star beat Shaun Johnson to the top prize following his stunning season.
Ponga beat New Zealand Warriors star Johnson to footy’s most prestigious individual award by six points in the final round of the season, taking his tally to 56.
The Knights star was at the heart of his side’s stunning late-season performance, taking Newcastle to the final.
Before the ceremony, his mother Adine wasn’t too optimistic about her son’s chances as he had an outside chance of winning, but he emerged victorious at the Sydney bash.
Looking back on the 2023 season, Ponga said, “It was pretty special. It’s something we want to repeat next year.
Kalyn Ponga has won the Dally M award after his stellar season for Newcastle
The Knights star’s mother wasn’t too optimistic about her son’s chances of winning
‘I’ve been at the club for five years now and it’s something I’ve never experienced before. It is something the city wants and needs. As a playing group we know that and we would like to do it again.
‘Absolutely proud. Proud of the team, Proud of what the team at the back has achieved. We want to move on, and we are certainly happy with that.’
The interviewer asked Adine before the ceremony, “Do you think he has a chance of winning tonight?” Hopeful?’
“Ooo,” she replied before looking at her son, shaking her head. ‘No. I’ll be proud no matter what.’
More to follow