Knights turn down re-signing Gagai for $400K – and fans are up in arms

The Newcastle Knights have drawn the ire of their loyal fanbase again after turning down the chance to re-sign veteran centre Dane Gagai on a $400,000-a-year deal by waiving away a boiled-in contract option.

Gagai is signed through to the end of the year and could have stayed on through 2026 if Newcastle greenlit his contract clause. Instead, the club told Gagai they wouldn’t pull the trigger.

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Most in the NRL world were left surprised by the call — Gagai is 34 years old, yes, but he’s stayed playing at a high level through his 30s so far and continues to be a strong part of a Knights outfit that has left a lot to be desired this season.

And, to keep him on $400,000 in a world where the cap is expanding is a pretty good bargain.

But, the Knights see it all differently and told Gagai as much last week; he was still welcome to re-sign with the Knights if they could find a deal, they said, but more likely was he’d have to find a new deal somewhere else for ’26.

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Newy fans have responded online rather quickly, compiling a petition with several hundred votes that demands the Hunter organisation keep the club junior for at least another year.

The petition, “Re-Sign Dane Gagai at the Newcastle Knights for 2026,” is now three days old.

“Dane Gagai bleeds red and blue and deserves to be at the club until he retires,” said one fan from Rutherford in the comments, while another said his “guts” every week makes him “a true Knight in every way.” Others pointed out he’d been loyal through trying times and deserves to be treated well for the waning years of his career.

Should Gagai still leave — which is looking likely — then The Sporting Base understands Adam O’Brien will slot James Schiller into his centre spot. Dom Young will return on the wing.