Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Joel Gould

Star Knight returns to Broncos 15 years after axing

Newcastle centre Dane Gagai will finish his career at Brisbane after signing a one-year deal. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Newcastle veteran Dane Gagai will finish his career where it all started after signing a one-year deal with Brisbane.

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

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.

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.

Dane Gagai.
Dane Gagai scored three times in six games during his debut, and only, season for Brisbane in 2011. (Colin Whelan/AAP PHOTOS)

Gagai, who has played 328 NRL games, became one of Queensland's most reliable finishers in 23 State of Origin games and represented Australia in seven Tests

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.

Brisbane recruitment boss Simon Scanlan said Gagai was a wonderful acquisition and would be a fine mentor to the club's young outside backs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos)

"The Broncos are very excited to see Dane making a return to Red Hill in 2027," he said.

"His form this season has been outstanding and he has undoubtedly been one of the form centres this year.

"As we continue to develop our young outside backs, having experienced professionals around them is incredibly important. Dane's leadership, professionalism and proven performance at the highest level make him a valuable addition to our club."

Meanwhile in other signing news, Dolphins utility Jake Averillo has inked a four-year deal with Wests Tigers from 2027.

Jake Averillo.
Dolphins backline star Jake Averillo will join Wests Tigers in 2027 on a four-year deal. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

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.

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.

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.

Klese Haas.
Titans forward Klese Haas has extended his stay at the club until the end of 2029. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

"Living 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," Haas said.

"I'd be lying if I said the temptation wasn't 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.

"The upwards trajectory this club is going in is exciting to see and I can't wait to keep being part of it."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.