Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga has conceded he contemplated the “difficult” notion of walking away from rugby league during his latest concussion treatment and recovery.
But significant testing by experts at the University of Newcastle and then Vancouver in Canada allayed any fears with reassurance his brain function was the same as a “normal person” and he’s now ready to return.
Ponga is set to play for the Knights as early as Round 8, for what will be his 100th game, having been stood down from the game after suffering his fourth head knock in ten months in Round 2.
The blow sent Ponga on a fact-finding mission which included the trip to Canada for testing on a machine not available in Australia.
While leaving the game crossed his mind, the results of the testing gave him confidence of a return sooner rather than later and he’s positive about what’s to come.
“It was pretty difficult. To have that thought that you might have to stop playing was pretty weird,” Ponga said on Friday.
“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.”
Newcastle chief medical officer Dr Jin Lee and a professor at the University of Newcastle determined it would be beneficial for Ponga to travel to Vancouver for the extra testing on his brain activity which produced the positive results.
“It was literally just a six-minute test,” Ponga said.
“At the end of that test, they had objective data on where my brain‘s at.
“There were some other tests we did as well, but I guess within a few hours I knew where my head was at and whether I can keep playing or what my expected return to play would be.
“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.”
Despite his run of head knocks, Ponga doesn’t plan on changing his tackling technique to reduce the risk of another blow.
“There‘s been a little bit more detail in it but I don’t think I have to revamp my tackle technique,” he said.
“It‘s just about being a little bit smarter with my feet, my head and stuff like that.”
Ponga could yet have to spend more time with doctors as his career progresses, but is thinking about what could happen should he suffer another concussion.
“I guess for me the process would be to be tested again,” he said.
“I‘m just sort of worried about getting back on the field, getting my brain right. I’ll worry about that when that comes.”
