After a four-year stint playing for South Sydney, which will conclude at season’s end, Dane Gagai will be travelling back up the M1 to return to the Newcastle Knights on a three-year deal.
The Mackay native will return after previously spending five and a half seasons with the Novocastrians. He begun his time with the Knights as a 21-year-old rookie, in which he added 128 games and 29 tries during his time there as well as becoming a regular Queensland representative.
During his stint in Newcastle, he was a standout player as the Knights were going through the rebuilding process, which to this day stands in infamy for our proud club.
Adam O’Brien is now trying to bring back the winning culture that our team was built on. There are signs that is exactly what we’re doing and yes we have been thumped a fair few times this season but we have also won games this year without Mitchell Pearce. We won four games without him and that’s double the amount we won without him in 2018.
We have seen the damage our team can do with our full spine and that shows we are not the same team we were 10 years ago. Instead of going through a rebuilding stage, we’re building towards brining back the winning culture we once had.
This is a different team to the one Dane Gagai was in a number of years ago. Our team is building towards success and it may be a slow process but it will be worth it.
A number of questions have been asked about Gagai’s return, mostly surrounding where he will play.
Our left centre wing pairing is Bradman Best and Enari Tuala then we go the right side for Kurt Mann and Hymel Hunt. All said players have pretty much locked in those spots. We also have got a serious amount of depth for the centres and wings.
It will be interesting to see where Dane will play and instead of giving my suggestions, I will leave it up to O’Brien. I also do hope my fellow Knights fans do the same.
Gagai in his years at the Knights formed a very good combination with Akuila Uate. Over the years, they shared a number of tries as the first choice right centre/wing combination. My favourite thing about his return is the fact he wants to play for us. Instead of just coming here for the sake of it, we want players to want to play for our team.
So Roarers, what do you think about Dane Gagai returning to Newcastle?
matth
Roar Guru
It's ironic that Bennett was the coach to sack him at Brisbane for a poor attitude. Obviously a different, more mature guy nowadays.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Adam O’Brien shortening in " First coach sacked 2022" market 4/1 ? Signed Mitchell Pearce on a fortune, dumped him as captain, then resigned him for 2022 when he has only played 7 games this year ? Looking to punt Connor Watson - WHY ? Then signs an aging center, for 3 years, without knowing where he will play him next year. At least its only a short drive for Dane to head up to Latrell's property when he is injured of dumped
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Short answer ..... no. Gagai will give the Knights next to nothing
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think he is a good player, lost his speed but makes up for it in effort. Can shuffle around from centre, wing and fullback. I’d say a good 2 year buy, but I think he’ll be in the Super League in his third year.
You’re Kidding
Guest
He’s so great, that South’s want to get rid of him. Be in no doubt, that South’s just don’t want him there any longer. It’s nothing to do with salary cap. He’s just seen as being past his best . They probably thought so already, before the Dubbo game? However, once Burton ran rings around him , he was definitely gone.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! The real question will be whether Gagai offers anything at all for the Knights without his bro's Cody & Latrelle feeding him ?
Diplomatt
Roar Rookie
Good to see you back Adrian. Always enjoy your optimistic Knights articles.
Cam
Roar Rookie
As far as centres go, Gagai would be a fair way in front of Best and he’d lap Kurt Mann. Admittedly Bradman Best has loads of potential and should be in for a hell of a career, but Gagai has been there and done that and is in maybe career-best form. Parking Gagai on the left edge with Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga and Edrick Lee would be a strong combo. Kurt Mann hasn’t had a great season and isn’t helped by chopping and changing positions most weeks. Mann is probably a 14 for the Knights, especially if they don’t resign Connor Watson. Personally I’d let Mann go and keep Watson.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Really doubt Mann or Tuala have 'locked' in those positions. No coincidence Dane has had just about his best season ever after transferring over to the left outside Cody and Latrell, Knights could well play him there for the 40% of the season Best is customarily out injured, and in Mann's jersey the other days.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well said. I reckon he has at times , in the past been guilty of cruising a little for the Rabbitohs but every game I have seen him play this season , he has worked his butt off.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Gagai is a great player, great heart and good person. He is one of the games best, he's a clean skin, and when he plays for the Maroons he gives it his all, and for the Rabbitohs in the last two years he has been consistently good, an asset to the team at all times, steady pair of hands, the maturity to read plays well and can make good metres, tackle breaks and scores tries. Bennett admires Gagai stating he always turns up at training with a positive attitude and trains very hard, and the results show on the field. As a Bunnies supporter, I am sad to see him go, but equally grateful for the service and loyalty he has shown to the Club. I wish him well at the Knights, it's a good buy for them and shows Gagai's loyalty (back to the Knight's).
Nat
Roar Guru
Just the inference I took from use of the term "rookie". All good mate.
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
The King of the World
Roar Guru
I don’t think I said he debuted for the Knights sir.
Nat
Roar Guru
Until Del and Joey show up. They go grab Mullins and it's game on.
Tony
Roar Guru
Not much night life in Newcastle
Nat
Roar Guru
He debuted at the Broncos mate. Bennett kicked him out because he loved the night life. No doubt he is a quality finisher but he will always have a brain fade in his game. Get yourself a running 5/8 like Walker and he'll finish them off but leave the sensational busts for Best.
peeeko
Roar Guru
i dont recall his first stint at the knights being that great he played great for Qld then struggled for the knights the next week