Craig Bellamy has never met Kalyn Ponga but cannot recall ever seeing the Newcastle pin-up in better form.
“I’ve watched him the last six weeks or so now, and I don’t know if he’s ever been in better form – if he has, I haven’t seen it,” Bellamy told this masthead.
“He looks a bit quicker, and with his experience, he’s a bit smarter.
“He’s added a few little things to his game, he’s offloading the ball a bit more than he used to.
“He’s always been a rare talent and played well, he’s had the injury problems and HIAs [head injury assessments], but he’s one hell of a talent. And that talent has started to shine through on the field now he has put some games together.”
Ponga looms as the only player who can orchestrate a Knights win on Saturday evening in the Hunter and by doing so bundle the Storm out of the top four.
Career-best form? Kalyn Ponga Credit: Getty
Bellamy and his players spent the week on the Central Coast after their win over the Roosters, with the super-coach sneaking a little further north on Friday to Merewether where he spoke at a business lunch.
It emerged this week Knights coach Adam O’Brien, a one-time assistant to Bellamy in Melbourne, had his job pitched to Des Hasler before the Gold Coast pounced. Fox Sports reported a close ally of Knights boss Phil Gardner had sounded out Hasler about taking over from O’Brien, whose future has been a hot topic at various times throughout the season.
Bellamy said it would be unsettling for any coach to hear if a club was canvassing potential replacements.
“You’d have to ask Adam that question [if it is unsettling],” Bellamy said.
“Putting myself in those shoes, it probably would be, but different people handle things different ways.
“He might think something about that, but he’d quickly get his focus back on doing his role the best he can. He’s always been like that.
“He’s all about the team and what’s right for the group in general, not what’s right for him; he’s a good coach and a really good guy who is invested in the team.”
One player impossible to miss at training on Friday was Will Warbrick, who leapt through the air to catch a few Jahrome Hughes cross-field kicks.
Storm winger Will Warbrick is challenging Jahream Bula for rookie of-the-year honoursCredit: Getty
For all the talk about Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula claiming rookie-of-the-year honours, Warbrick, a former New Zealand rugby sevens representative, is building his own irresistible case with 11 tries in 17 games.
The last and only Storm winger to win the rookie honours was Israel Folau in 2007.
“Sometimes I’ve underestimated how much change there is coming from rugby sevens to [the NRL],” Bellamy said.
“He’s been tremendous this year, he’s had some great games, he’s that big body, hard to handle, and he’s still learning about the game and how to work and combine with different players.
“Being the athlete he is, we expected him to play last year, but it wasn’t the right time for him.
“The other kid [Bula] hasn’t played many games but played really well for the Tigers. But Will had a good off-season, came in with a lot more confidence, and is doing a great job for us.”
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