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Full Noise by SN
FIFA World Cup 2026 posterBig Game Tax?: Why Ponga avoided big suspension
Charles Goodsir • May 28th, 2026 1:52 pm
NSW have pulled off the greatest comeback in State of Origin history to steal Game I of the series in Sydney.
Queensland jumped to an early 20-0 lead and were in complete control with 23 minutes remaining with the scoreline 20-6. That all changed when Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sensationally sent off for a high shot on Blues debutant Tolutau Koula.
Ponga was charged by the NRL Match Review Committee (MRC) with a grade two shoulder charge.
Instead of receiving a two-match ban as would ordinarily happen in the NRL, Ponga was slapped with a 23% fine of his match fee which equates to $6900.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis told SEN that recent changes to the MRC’s stance on representative football has led to Ponga escaping suspension.
“I was comfortable with the decision (of) a send-off because it was direct contact to the head,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170.
“The motion leading with his shoulder is what got him sent from the field.
“There are different parameters for big games and that’s even for finals matches.
“The decision was made back in 2022 was to try and keep the best players on the field for the best games.
“If Kalyn Ponga were to be suspended, the team that would be hurt the most would be his club side, the Newcastle Knights.
“That’s the reasoning. Whether you agree with it or not, that’s the reasoning behind it.
“You are trying not to penalise clubs for what happens in representative football.”
Whilst Newcastle breathe a huge sigh of relief, Manly will be forced into major changes as Koula is set to miss two matches during his mandatory 11-day stand down period due to concussion.
Manly take on Cronulla on Friday night in Round 13 and host the South Sydney Rabbitohs the following Thursday.
“What about Manly? Koula now misses two games.” Carayannis added.
“There’s no equity and there’s no fairness in this situation whatsoever.
“What should happen now is that Kalyn Ponga should be unavailable for Queensland in Game II,” SEN’s Jimmy Smith responded.
“You’re correct Jimmy but it just can’t work,” Carayannis replied.
“You can’t just sanction it for Origin games.
“What if someone is retiring at the end of the season and decides to go mad?
“He plays for his club three days later? Can’t work.”
Ponga, who will line up for Newcastle on Saturday, took accountability after the game and spoke to the media in the Queensland sheds.
“At the end of the day, it was my action that forced the boys to work extra hard,” Ponga said to the media.
“There is a level of (responsibility) there.
“I’m not proud the boys had to work extra hard because I was off the field.”
Game II heads South to Melbourne on June 17 at the MCG.
