{"id":38071,"date":"2026-06-25T04:07:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T04:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/38071\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T04:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T04:07:15","slug":"newcastle-veteran-dane-gagai-set-for-return-to-brisbane-15-years-after-axing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/38071\/","title":{"rendered":"Newcastle veteran Dane Gagai set for return to Brisbane 15 years after axing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newcastle<\/a> veteran Dane Gagai will finish his career where it all started after signing a one-year deal with Brisbane.<\/p>\n

The 35-year-old is in top form, but the Knights were not in a position to offer him a new contract for 2027.<\/p>\n

Instead, he will return to the Broncos club he last played for in 2012 when he had his contract torn up after a string of disciplinary breaches.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

That early glitch in his career turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he joined the Novocastrians under mentor Wayne Bennett and then played under him again at South Sydney before returning to Newcastle.<\/p>\n

Gagai, who has played 328 NRL games, became one of Queensland\u2019s most reliable finishers in 23 State of Origin games and represented Australia in seven Tests<\/p>\n

Gagai will join a Broncos side that have already lost outside back Jesse Arthars to Catalans for next year and that is expected to be without Test centre Gehamat Shibasaki in 2027.<\/p>\n

\"NewcastleNewcastle centre Dane Gagai will finish his career at Brisbane after signing a one-year deal. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

Brisbane recruitment boss Simon Scanlan said Gagai was a wonderful acquisition and would be a fine mentor to the club\u2019s young outside backs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Broncos are very excited to see Dane making a return to Red Hill in 2027,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis form this season has been outstanding and he has undoubtedly been one of the form centres this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we continue to develop our young outside backs, having experienced professionals around them is incredibly important. Dane\u2019s leadership, professionalism and proven performance at the highest level make him a valuable addition to our club.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile in other signing news, Dolphins utility Jake Averillo has inked a four-year deal with Wests Tigers from 2027.<\/p>\n

Averillo has been a valuable player for the Dolphins in a variety of outside back positions and in the halves, but salary cap constraints meant the club could not match the lucrative offer and length of term provided by the Tigers.<\/p>\n

Gold Coast forward Klese Haas is set to stay at the Titans until the end of 2029 after extending his stay for two years beyond 2027.<\/p>\n

The move will put a delay on his hopes of one day lining up next to older brother Payne, who will join South Sydney next season from Brisbane.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiving on the Gold Coast basically my whole life, it means the world to me and my family to lock in a further two years here,\u201d Haas said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be lying if I said the temptation wasn\u2019t there to play together with Payne, but at the end of the day, this club has given me so much and I want to repay that faith here at the Titans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe upwards trajectory this club is going in is exciting to see and I can\u2019t wait to keep being part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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