The Dolphins still hoping to coax Newcastle Knights’ Kalyn Ponga to the club

The Dolphins have not given hope of signing a major target ahead of the 2023 NRL season.

That major target is Newcastle Knights’ Kalyn Ponga.

Recently, the trail has cut cold, but the Daily Telegraph has revealed that the Dolphins are still keen on signing the wonderkid.

“I checked around yesterday with some well-connected people at the Dolphins and they haven’t given up,” News Corp journalist Dean Ritchie said.

“There was a theory that Kalyn Ponga will definitely stay (at Newcastle) — I think he will stay — but certainly in the eyes of the Dolphins until he signs, they will keep on punching.

“How Newcastle fare this year is another indicator. If they make the finals that would make it more attractive to Kalyn.”

The Daily Telegraph has also reported that Harry Grant is still in the Dolphins’ sights.

“I think Kalyn Ponga and Harry Grant are the big ones they are after at the moment. Those are the two guys that they desperately want,” Read said of the Dolphins’ recruitment focus.

“I don’t think the Kalyn situation is going to be resolved any time soon because my sense is that while Kalyn is publicly saying, “I am committed to Newcastle and I want to win a competition down here”, there won’t be any rush to take up that option,” Read added.

“It is going to be a matter of months so the Ponga thing is going to drag on and while that is dragging on the Dolphins are hamstrung because they want to keep money in case they get Kalyn.

“They are very keen on Harry Grant as well the Dolphins and Jahrome Hughes.”