The Knights’ decision to let the veteran leave has surprised many fans.
Former State of Origin star Dane Gagai has put rival NRL clubs on alert after declaring he would have no qualms about moving back to play in Sydney, following Newcastle’s decision not to extend the veteran. The Maroons hero has been one of the standouts in an underwhelming Knights side this season but the club have decided against taking up a team option to retain him for next season. Fans have already urged Newcastle to backflip on their stance around Gagai.
The 34-year-old is currently on a $400,000-a-year-deal with Newcastle but the club are prioritising some of their talented younger players. And the Knights are constrained by salary cap pressures, with captain Kalyn Ponga on a $1.4 million per season deal and the club signing Eels playmaker Dylan Brown for next year, on a 10-year, $13 million contract.
Unless Gagai is willing to take a pay cut to remain at the Hunter, however, it appears as though his future lies elsewhere beyond this season. And speaking to The Newcastle Herald, the former Rabbitohs star said he would have no problems continuing his glittering career in Sydney.
I’ll leave if I have to,” Gagai told the publication. “I love the club but I’ll have no qualms about moving back to Sydney if that’s the way it works out. I’ve left it with my manager. I don’t want to say too much. We’ll see what happens.”
Dane Gagai admission puts rival NRL clubs on alert
The veteran centre has been one of the most consistent performers for the Knights over several seasons and his revelation is sure to attract interest from rival clubs. The Maroons hero has played 22 Origin games for his state after featuring in last year’s series, and continues to show his class as a permanent fixture in Newcastle’s starting side.
Even if Gagai were to accept a downgrade on his current deal, the Knights are reportedly considering other options anyway, with the likes of James Schiller vying for a permanent centre role and exciting young outside back Fletcher Hunt coming through the ranks. Gagai’s likely departure comes as the the Knights are also set to lose prop Leo Thompson to the Bulldogs in 2026, as well as English second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul, who recently signed a three-year deal to join the Wests Tigers.
Halfback Jackson Hastings is on big money at Newcastle but won’t be at the club next season after O’Brien confirmed his contract wouldn’t be extended. But fans have been left puzzled by the Knights’ stance on Gagai, who has played more than 300 NRL games and remains one of the competition’s elite centres.
It’s understood Gagai’s management have already started sounding out rival NRL clubs for their interest in the veteran centre. Gagai has once again been named to start in Saturday’s away game to the in-form Dolphins, with the 15th-placed Knights welcoming back Bradman Best from injury and Kalyn Ponga from Origin duty with the Maroons. Winger Dom Young has also been named to start for his first game back at the club after being released by the Roosters.
