Ponga, Walsh and Grant are contenders for International Rugby League's Golden Boot, announced Thursday.
Ponga meets Walsh in Sunday's Brisbane final at Suncorp Stadium, after returning 23 days after breaking his arm in the 24-22 opener last month.
Walsh scored a hat-trick against Samoa on Sunday.
"It's always all love off the field and then when we get on the field, we aren't friends," Ponga said of his Queensland State of Origin teammate.
"We can both ... make Sunday night entertaining, but hopefully not too much for him. There's always going to be moments of individual brilliance."
Grant said Australia would look to create opportunities for Walsh and nullify Ponga.
In his first Kiwis campaign, Ponga said his bigger aim was winning the World Cup: "But I'm not a part of this team to win the (award), I'm part of this team to win the World Cup."