The Dolphins may finally be able to land Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga

It’s a transfer rumour that has been doing the rounds for a while now, but the Dolphins may finally hold the trump card in the Kalyn Ponga saga.

Ponga is signed with the Knights until 2024, but he does have a clause in his contract allowing him to potentially leave Newcastle at the end of this season, with Wayne Bennett determined to bring in a marquee talent.

“The word around the game today is that Harry (Grant) has basically told the Storm that he is going to be staying there,” Hooper said on NRL 360.

“He is signed for next season anyway, so he gets an upgrade for next season and then he adds an additional two seasons for 2024 and 2025.

“I get the feeling the Dolphins will now move on and push all in towards Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster and Reece Walsh.”

Braith Anasta believes Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins need to act fast to secure marquee players.

“They have got decisions to make and make quick because they have only signed seven or eight players,” Anasta said.

“They have got to fill a squad of 30 by next year.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio believes the Dolphins should have gone all in for Ponga in the first place.

“I can’t believe they didn’t go harder earlier and straight away at Kalyn Ponga,” Riccio said.

“I just think he is a franchise player that they could have sold to the stars.”