The Knights prized recruit showed his impressive athletic ability to the world. Photo / Instagram
Degree of difficulty 2.0.
Degree of nervousness … off the scale.
In just over five weeks the Knights will roll out their prized recruit, young gun Kiwi Kalyn Ponga.
But the prodigious fullback looked more like an Olympic diver over the weekend as he showcased the extent his impressive athletic ability to the world.
Ponga couldn't help but parade his acrobatic exploits by posting an image of him in full flight, literally, pulling off a backflip from a roof and into a swimming pool.
His athletic prowess was one of the reasons the club signed the exciting prospect on a lucrative and long term deal.
The teen sensation had five clubs vying for his signature when he went onto the open market back in 2016, but the Knights were able to trump potential suitors with a four-year deal believed to be worth around $600,000 a season.
As expected, the rooftop stunt left some fans feeling anxious with round one just over a month away.
Some clubs go to extra lengths to ensure their players don't engage in any risky behaviour by including conditions that prohibit them from partaking in activities such as skydiving.
Knights fans and member Ryan Marshall left a message for the rising star urging him to think twice the next time he considered a potentially dangerous stunt.
"Good to see you enjoying yourself Kalyn but you need to remember your committed to the Knights so you need to tone down the acrobatics. As a long time member and I speak for all fans and members we have waited a long time to be this excited about an upcoming season and we want you to be a massive part of that," he wrote on Ponga's Instagram.
Ponga didn't cop any abuse for the post but it did spark a wave of nervousness among fans who are eager to ensure their marquee recruit is fit and firing when the season kicks off in March.
After three consecutive wooden spoons, there is a genuine air of excitement building in Newcastle about the upcoming season after the club's aggressive recruitment drive helped secure key signings including Mitchell Pearce, Connor Watson, Tautau Moga and Jacob Lillyman.
The Warriors have survived a late second half comeback for a fifth consecutive win.