Kalyn Ponga says he is no longer having to put up a facade as Newcastle's leader, with the Knights star feeling he is finally confident to be himself as an NRL captain.
Ponga will gear up for the biggest club match of his life on Sunday against Penrith, as he and 15 other Knights prepare for their first preliminary final.
The fullback's emotion after last Sunday's win over the Warriors may become one of the enduring images of this year's finals, with Ponga admitting he felt like crying.
Fairly or unfairly, Ponga's commitment to Newcastle has been questioned several times in his career.
There was the infamous "strawberry thickshake" line when coach Nathan Brown was axed in 2019, along with almost annual rumours of possible exits.
But he now looks settled, having inked a deal until the end of 2030 earlier this year and giving Newcastle the option to extend that out until 2032.
Newcastle great Matthew Johns this week also pointed out Ponga's transformation in leadership, in comparison to the early years of his career.
Ponga said much of that came down to the man and captain that Justin Holbrook had encouraged him to be since arriving as coach last summer.
"Justin's done a good job at just allowing me to be me," Ponga told AAP.
"In the past I almost felt like I had to be someone else.
"You look at leaders and a captain and they're almost like this stoic, well-groomed person. But I'm definitely not that.
"I know where my strengths are, I know how I can influence this team and Justin's just allowed me to do that."
As obvious as Ponga's influence on Newcastle is, the other difference is those around him.
Ponga is touching the ball marginally less in 2026 compared to last season, but being far more effective with an extra 10 linebreaks and five more try assists.
Opposition players have noted that he is no longer needing to direct Newcastle's attack, with first Dylan Brown and now Sandon Smith taking on more responsibility.
That has freed Ponga to set himself up on the edges and become more lethal from close and long distance, with Fletcher Sharpe a similar threat.
"I don't feel the burden of doing everything," Ponga said.
"I can just focus on what I'm good at, and I know what that is now within this group.
"And again it's just being me and enjoying that ... I've got leaders around me that help me do my job. But I understand the impact that I can have on this group."
For several teammates, they believe it is about time Ponga's leadership stops being questioned.
"He's always been a very passionate footy player. He leaves everything out there and always has," second-rower Dylan Lucas said.
"Everyone always tries to say he's not committed to this club and he doesn't care.
"I am glad people finally get to see how much it actually means to him.
"He has a lot of care for the club and the boys and the staff in it. But he's definitely grown as a leader this year and over the past couple of years."
