Geyer slams Knights' call to risk Ponga with 'limp'

League legend Mark Geyer has questioned why the Knights risked playing an injured Kalyn Ponga during their 36-12 loss to the Bulldogs, as the Newcastle star looks set to spend an extended period of time on the sidelines.

The fullback suffered from a hip pointer injury against the Roosters and failed to finish the match on Sunday after he was forced off the field 11 minutes into the second half suffering from a serious foot injury.

Geyer, who was a crucial player in Penrith’s 1991 premiership-winning team, questioned why coach Adam O’Brien and Newcastle staff elected to play the 2023 Dally M winner, with Fox League reporting after the game that Ponga left the match in a moon boot.

The 26-year-old spent nine days rehabilitating the injury following the Knights’ defeat to the Roosters but had evidently not recovered.

Speaking on his Triple M radio show on Monday, Geyer said he could not understand how the Newcastle captain was allowed to limp onto the field and play.

“The fact that Kalyn Ponga played yesterday… It was evident that he was injured, not only the hip but now he’s also injured his foot,” the Penrith legend told Mick and MG in the Morning.

“Thankfully they have ruled out a Lisfranc injury, which is a pretty bad ligament injury to the foot which could see him out for ages.

Kalyn Ponga passing the ball. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

“Honestly, when you see a bloke running out from the tunnel onto a game and he’s got a pronounced limp… I don’t know why he played in that game.”

Geyer’s co-host Mick Molloy labelled the Knights decision as “outrageous” and “not a great look” for the side.

“That’s some pretty bad management I would’ve thought someone from the medical department who’s okayed that… as you said a guy limping onto the field of battle is not a great look,” Molloy said.

Ponga will undergo scans on Monday morning and is likely to be out of action for the Knights for at least two to three weeks, according to Geyer.

Kalyn Ponga of the Knights warms up prior to the round seven NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Penrith great speculated that Ponga may have had the injury needled prior to the game, to no avail.

“The only thing I can think is that he might of tried to be needled up and that the needle didn’t work,” he said.

“He will have scans this morning and the hip flexor that he took into the game with him.

“I think he will get over that but this foot injury that he’s incurred is the main one that [they will be] concerned for.

“Without knowing I would say [Ponga will spend] two or three weeks out.”