Kalyn Ponga leads NRL Finals MVP race with Sandon Smith close behind

Kalyn Ponga of the Newcastle Knights tops the Zero Tackle NRL Finals MVP leaderboard with 46 votes after three weeks of finals action. Sandon Smith secured a perfect 20 votes in the Knights' recent 22-14 victory over the Penrith Panthers, placing him in third overall. Mark Nawaqanitawase, who picked up 19 votes against the Dolphins, sits just one vote behind Ponga. The grand final will feature double points in MVP scoring, keeping several players in contention for the award. A mix of eliminated players also makes the leaderboard competitive, with potential for shake-ups before the finals conclude.

• 9:49 PMZero Tackle NRL — One vote separates grand final-bound stars as Smith shines: Zero Tackle’s NRL Finals MVP, preliminary finals