LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Newcastle Knights player Kalyn Ponga has become the talk of the NRL after winning the prestigious Dally M Medal.
However, it has been revealed that Ponga was not in high spirits on the morning of the awards ceremony.
Ponga had considered retiring from the sport due to a series of concussions, but he made an incredible comeback to secure the surprise medal win.
His outstanding performance in the Knights' round 27 victory over the Dragons, where he scored six points, allowed him to narrowly defeat favorite Shaun Johnson by just one vote.
Despite his triumph, Ponga confessed that the NRL could have faced an embarrassing situation during the award ceremony.
The reason for this was Ponga's reluctance to attend the event.