Thoughts on Gagai not being taken up on his $400k option for next season?
Dane Gagai discussion
- Thread starter Joshhh
- Start date
waynesworld
Jason Martin
It’s quite cutthroat. I imagine the Dom signing meant he became the easiest to squeeze out. I just hope he’s not angry at the club because he is a club legend and it seems at this stage not the best way to treat him.
Lynchyknight
Darren Albert
Completely fine with it, the club is a business and the end goal is to win a premiership infact that’s the only goal in the end
To do this they are going to need to make cut throat decisions and this is a good one
Since Dom is coming back, him and Greg will be wingers and if Dane leaves we will have Best and Schiller in centres which I’m fine with
But if Dane stays on say 250K for one more year that’s great to but no point in offering any more then that
To do this they are going to need to make cut throat decisions and this is a good one
Since Dom is coming back, him and Greg will be wingers and if Dane leaves we will have Best and Schiller in centres which I’m fine with
But if Dane stays on say 250K for one more year that’s great to but no point in offering any more then that
Lefty
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Sooner or later Dane will have to finish up with us as a player, it will been sad when it happens but he isn’t the player he was, age is catching up with him. The question is should he finish up at the end of this year or next?
Dane turns 35 in January next year, I think it would be best if he finishes with the Knights this year. We have enough you players to fill his position.
Dane turns 35 in January next year, I think it would be best if he finishes with the Knights this year. We have enough you players to fill his position.
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mozza
Game on broheim
Disagree with it. It’s not big money and we need his experience. At this stage 2026 is looking a lot like 2016.
Defence wins games
Todd Bates
The business end of the NRL is tough, particularly for an older guy like Gaga who is all effort, every game. Time will tell I guess.
KPGreatness
Todd Bates
Agreed send him off with a big party and a big last game, and tell him if he wishes he can stay at the club in a position he wants such as coach or something.
He is a club legend but age catches everyone the best thing the Knights can do is honour him like the legend he is.
We have Schiller, McCarthy, De Coursey and Hunt that can play centre I think it’s time.
frankLauda
Tony Butterfield
300K? Tough decision. We have young guys coming through, but are they busting down the door? I think if he can take a bit less, he stays for one more year, but he's willing to be relegated to Cup to bring one of the other guys through.
I have not seen Schillar in the centers or the other young players mentioned. Only McCarthy. He's okay; I can see some potential in him.
Who is looking like the best option to take his position next year?
When Dom comes back, he and Gags may spark that combination again. Is there a new guy who would have as good a combination with Dom? These are the things the club needs to weigh up with Dane.
I have not seen Schillar in the centers or the other young players mentioned. Only McCarthy. He's okay; I can see some potential in him.
Who is looking like the best option to take his position next year?
When Dom comes back, he and Gags may spark that combination again. Is there a new guy who would have as good a combination with Dom? These are the things the club needs to weigh up with Dane.
My immediate gut reaction when I read it was “I hate this” but now that I’ve had a chance to think about it I get it.
Unfortunately this was going to happen eventually. He’s said he wants to play until 40 and that’s obviously not going to be able to happen as we’re starting to see decline this year. There was always going to come a time when we had to do this. Those involved at the club would see a lot more than we do just on game day, they’d be the first to know if he’s starting to struggle.
I still think he plays on next year to be honest, either at the Knights or elsewhere. I think POS would see a lower contract though as less risky should he be struggling too much next next.
Unfortunately this was going to happen eventually. He’s said he wants to play until 40 and that’s obviously not going to be able to happen as we’re starting to see decline this year. There was always going to come a time when we had to do this. Those involved at the club would see a lot more than we do just on game day, they’d be the first to know if he’s starting to struggle.
I still think he plays on next year to be honest, either at the Knights or elsewhere. I think POS would see a lower contract though as less risky should he be struggling too much next next.
Lynchyknight
Darren Albert
Schiller was originally signed to the knights to play centre not wing so they obviously believe in him
KPGreatness
Todd Bates
He played centre in 2022 round 1 against the Sharks, I believe that was his debut than Ricky pushed him to wing to accommodate people like Timoko and Kris.
Schiller has stated he has always been a centre and loves the position, you could tell his is a centre he is built for it, his speed for a centre is good, he is strong as well.
De Coursey always plays centre that is his position but has been moved to wing sometimes to cover big dude weighs about 100kgs one on one he is hard to stop.
Hunt has played a bit of centre but it’s meh at this point much better fullback/wing option for he’s jumping and height alone.
Riley Jones is rapid and has been playing centre as well, I think he has 5 tries to his name so far and two try assists.
We need to move on he is a legend at the club nothing will change that but we need to move on and look for our future and Dane isn’t apart of that as a player anyway.
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
De Courcey seems to be improving rapidly - he ran the length of the field to score recently - I didn't think he had that speed.
I don't think Gags will get many offers at 400k, so he might take a lower offer and maybe even captain reserve grade and take a mentor role.
I don't think Gags will get many offers at 400k, so he might take a lower offer and maybe even captain reserve grade and take a mentor role.
KPGreatness
Todd Bates
100% correct he even mentioned in a interview he thought the Knights were a better pathway for him to play centre.
Probably since he could learn from Gags for a year or two and take that spot since he is obviously close to retirement
KPGreatness
Todd Bates
This is what I hope for
knights80
Dave Woods
At the start of the year would have said no, last month he has been outstanding, worry would be if he takes it up and old Father Time caught up with him next year and the old played 1 year too long happens.
Can’t really afford to annoy young guys that’s are coming up and need those positions as they’re the future but his experience would be missed.
If he wanted to chase the $$$ i reckon he could get a top side in England and win that comp he deserves, otherwise maybe he could be a coach/nsw cup contract player and still then be able to play for us if we need him.
Frank McWilliams
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
As I said in another thread his experience will be needed in the Brown partnering Sharpe transition and if his form did drop off we will have plenty ready to replace him
I was thinking this too. Lots of talk that Schiller is the most obvious replacement but that might not be the clubs thinking at all. They might be trying to clear a path for Votano who still isn’t signed for next season.
MullosLefttoRight
David Smith
It's hard to comment without having the exact construction of our salary cap to assess things properly.
I'm a massive fan of Schiller, have been before it was confirmed we signed him, if he starts next season as our first-string centre I would back him in. With another 12 months into Hunt, McCarthy, Aoake, De Courcey and Votano I think we can find passable depth options in the backline.
Gagai is still playing high-quality footy and 300 games of experience is irreplaceable. Inevitably he's not going to get any better turning 35 next season, but I believe he still has at least 12 months of good footy in him.
An argument in Gags favour is the weakness of our pack next year - we simply need our back 5 churning out 150m each week to take pressure off the forwards. While the depth options mentioned above are passable, you can't rely on them to be bringing that sort of yardage output week-to-week, so effectively we're an injury away from massive pressure being placed on our already thin forward stocks. With forward recruitment options looking slim I think that simple insurance and experience factor should weigh heavily in Gags favour.
I'm a massive fan of Schiller, have been before it was confirmed we signed him, if he starts next season as our first-string centre I would back him in. With another 12 months into Hunt, McCarthy, Aoake, De Courcey and Votano I think we can find passable depth options in the backline.
Gagai is still playing high-quality footy and 300 games of experience is irreplaceable. Inevitably he's not going to get any better turning 35 next season, but I believe he still has at least 12 months of good footy in him.
An argument in Gags favour is the weakness of our pack next year - we simply need our back 5 churning out 150m each week to take pressure off the forwards. While the depth options mentioned above are passable, you can't rely on them to be bringing that sort of yardage output week-to-week, so effectively we're an injury away from massive pressure being placed on our already thin forward stocks. With forward recruitment options looking slim I think that simple insurance and experience factor should weigh heavily in Gags favour.
Grandpa Joe
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
My thoughts exactly, with Elliot and Hetherington moving on there is a tonne of NRL experience.
And is Frizzel definitely here for 2026 yet.
Next year is gearing up to be our worst on record and I don't doubt KP's last with the club.