‘Is something more at play?’ Questions raised about Ponga’s future amid ‘unusual’ drama

Questions and “conspiracy theories” have been raised around Kalyn Ponga’s future at the Knights amid the “unusual” contract story that’s come to light this week.

It was reported on Monday that the NRL was set to investigate the Knights over a potential salary cap breach due to a third-party deal involving Ponga – and had previously been deemed acceptable by the NRL.

Ponga’s dad Andre raised concerns with the NRL over details surrounding whether the full six-figure sum had been paid.

News Corp journalist Brent Read explained the issue on NRL 360 and reported that Andre first “spoke to the NRL” about ratchet clauses in his son’s contract before the third party deal was then brought up.

Ratchet clauses are commonly included in player contracts so that when the NRL raises the salary cap by a certain percentage, player salaries are ‘ratcheted’ up by the same percentage.

“It started as an issue over ratchet clauses in the contract and I think the Ponga camp were looking for some clarity around (them) … I think they were concerned he wasn’t getting paid what he should’ve been paid,” Read said.

“It was a bit different over the term of this deal because the cap went up by a certain amount, but then the minimum wage went up and it affected the percentages… he just wanted some clarity.

“In the process of this, there’s become an issue over a third party (payment) that allegedly wasn’t paid, but it’s my understanding that it’s now been paid.

“It’s been said that the NRL is investigating the third party payment — that’s not right.

“It’s not an NRL issue because it’s a longstanding deal, which the NRL approved four years ago and the NRL has basically said ‘that’s not our issue, that’s an arms-length deal, we’ve already given it the green light.’

“It’s not the NRL’s jurisdiction unless there’s something untoward going on.”

NRL 360 co-hosts Braith Anasta and James Graham, however, aren’t convinced and wonder if there’s something more to the story.

“Surely that’s (ratchet clauses) just simple mathematics right? If you are a percentage of the pie ie the salary cap — for argument’s sake let’s just 10 per cent — and that cap is $10 million and it grows to $12 million … it’s not that difficult to figure out what 10 per cent is,” Graham said.

Anasta, who is also a registered agent, questioned why Andre went to the NRL in the first place.

“Not many agents, let alone Dads, go to the NRL to seek clarification on something so simple as a ratchet clause, which is not (complicated),” he said.

“Every agent in the game knows — if he wants to act as an agent he should know that — and half of the NRL are on that ratchet clause.

“Then to throw in that there’s a third-party (payment) being unpaid is very unusual and it’s not the NRL’s problem…

“The question I’m trying to get to here is was it deliberate to go in there and ruffle some feathers or was he actually concerned about the payment?”

Read responded: “He probably wanted to get paid and it worked because apparently he has been paid.”

“It’s a funny club because there’s people who work behind the scenes and don’t have an official role with the football club, but are involved and in some instances they pay third parties,” he added.

“So I think within the club there’s certain figures that find this all a bit hard to deal with and they aren’t happy about it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever come across a situation like this where there’s a person that basically acts as the right-hand man of (CEO) Phil Gardner and has no official role within the football club yet is also paying third parties to the players.”

Anasta still had more questions.