They had just lost their sixth game on the trot to fall three points out of the NRL top eight with just four regular season games remaining.

Despite the hammer blow to the Newcastle Knights’ season, superstar full-back Kalyn Ponga was pictured laughing with Eels full-back Clint Gutherson and playfully embracing Brad Takairangi immediately after the siren.

Ponga was solid but not spectacular in the 20-14 defeat, running for 93 metres and breaking seven tackles in the devastating defeat.

And amid reports the 21-year-old prodigy this week requested a new four-year, $6 million deal from the club, his jovial reaction to the potentially season-ending loss did not go down well with irate Knights fans.

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Great to see Parramatta players taking time out to meet fans and give back to the community. #NRLEelsKnights pic.twitter.com/Qia8L8wvLS — Mike M (@michaeldarren79) August 10, 2019

When you're 0 from the last 6 and start demanding 1.5 million a year make sure to show how much you hate losing #nrl #wanka https://t.co/fg9shmG4em #NRLEelsKnights pic.twitter.com/O8adBkn71t — Reeza Goodfellow (@ReezaGoodfellow) August 10, 2019

Sorry, but I must say I don’t want to see my marquee player so jovial at full time when the season has potentially gone. I want to see players pissed when they lose. In fairness, Kalyn Ponga’s definitely not alone in doing this post game #NRLEelsKnights #NRLBulldogsTigers — NRL CONSPIRACIES 🤔👀🏉 (@NrlConspiracies) August 10, 2019

BTW, I absolutely hate players laughing and joking with the opposition after a loss #NRLeelsknights @NRLKnights — Craig (@Sutto2606) August 10, 2019

Other fans suggested Ponga is not worth his rumoured price tag, boldly suggesting the club allow him to walk at the end of his current deal.

Big ponga fan but u need to play a hell of a lot better if u want $6mil. @NRLKnights #NRLEelsKnights — Nicole (@bailey791) August 10, 2019