Cowboys on high alert as Ponga returns to Townsville

"He debuted in a semi-final and really lit it up," Morgan told NRL.com. "He showed that experience doesn't automatically mean you're more ready for the occasion, some young guys thrive off it. 

"He was playing in Under 20s and training with us at the time and doing all of those things so I wasn't surprised to see him do what he did that night and the career he's had since."

Ponga moved to Townsville after signing a monster four-year deal with the Cowboys as a 15-year-old, shunning offers from AFL and rugby union to pursue a career in the NRL. 

He quickly progressed into the National Youth Competition, scoring 32 tries in 44 games and collecting a string of accolades along the way including a place in the team of the year in 2016. 

Ponga spent much of that season training with the NRL squad while playing in the Under 20s competition learning from Morgan, Jonathan Thurston and a host of others in a talent-laden side.

In many ways the group created the monster North Queensland are now looking to tame, with Ponga crediting the senior members of the team for laying the foundation for what has quickly become a decorated career. 

"I was pretty fortunate to have some good leaders up there before me," Ponga told NRL.com. "JT, Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper, Lachy Coote and Matt Scott. I had those players that were legends of the game around me. 

"I was very fortunate to be playing under them and they set me up a little bit. I watched the way they trained, they worked so hard for each other and it's the sort of player you want to be."

The Knights have ridden Ponga's ability throughout a late charge to the NRL finals series, winning their last three matches to sneak into eighth on the ladder. 

While they face an arduous road trip to Townsville this week, they're determined to prove they're not simply making up the numbers.

The 26-year-old is looking forward to returning to North Queensland but he won't get caught up in the emotion. Instead, Ponga is determined to lead his side to victory and break the Cowboys hearts in the process.

"It's a new competition for us," Ponga said. "It doesn't matter what's happened the last 27 rounds, it's about this week. 

"We're in a good position right now. We're underdogs heading up north and we're excited by our own footy but it's a mew competition. We've got to enjoy it because this is why you work so hard to be in this position so we're making sure we enjoy every moment."

So impressive have Ponga's recent performances been, many smart judges believe he's in even better form than last year's Dally M-winning season. 

The fullback laid on Newcastle's only two tries in last Sunday's victory over the Dolphins to punch their ticket to the finals.

While teams have come up with different ways to counter Ponga's ability, Morgan stressed the importance of winning the battle up front to limit his time and space with the ball. 

Should they do that, the 2015 premiership winner is confident North Queensland can keep end the Knights' season on Saturday night. 

"The challenge with Kalyn is containing him can be so difficult," Morgan said. "The forward pack is key. If they're not going forward, it limits the time Kalyn has with the footy so he's not getting the ball in his hands early. 

"If he gets it early with a retreating defensive line, they're not quite set and he can work his magic. So it's not so much about limiting him but looking after the forward pack first."