Barry Toohey writes: Newcastle Knights boss Phil Gardner says Kalyn Ponga could have earned more money elsewhere

Depending on who you believe, Kalyn Ponga will earn anywhere between $4 million and $4.5 million over the next four years after finalising a new deal with the Knights that has been months in the making.

It's a huge pay-day for anyone, let alone a 22-year-old whose favourite drink of choice is a strawberry milkshake.

But according to Knights CEO Phil Gardner, the brilliant young fullback could have earned more elsewhere.

"If he'd waited, he certainly would have received bigger offers," Gardner said. "But at the end of the day, KP wanted to stay in Newcastle. He wants to win a premiership here which is great news for us."

Family was also a big part of the decision. The Pongas are extremely tight. His father Andre, mother Adine and sister Kayley love Newcastle and are settled here, living in a newly built house in Boolaroo owned by Kalyn.

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"For us as a family, it's never been about the car in the garage or the brand of T-shirt that you're wearing or the expensive steak at dinner," Ponga said.

"It's always been about where you are, who you're with and the memories that you can make."

Ponga's re-signing is further evidence the Knights have finally set up an environment and culture that's attractive to elite players, something that hasn't been the case in the past when they were always forced to pay overs to sign players.

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