Knights veteran declares 'I'll leave if I have to'
A DEFIANT Dane Gagal says he would love to end his career at the Knights but will have "no qualms" leaving Newcastle if another NRL club comes knocking.
It follows the Knights' controversial decision not to take up a $400,000 option in his contract for next season, leaving him a free agent. The contract snub, first revealed In this column a fortnight ago, has angered fans who argue his leadership and inspiration won't be easily replaced.
And the Knights may be in for a surprise if they're banking on the veteran centre simply agreeing to a cut-price deal because of a reluctance to pack up his young family again and leave Newcastle.
“I’ll leave if I have to," Gagai told us.
Speaking for the first time about his contract drama after captaining the injury depleted Knights to a narrow 12-8 loss to the Roosters last weekend, Gagai declared:
"I love the club but I'll have no qualms about moving back to Sydney if that's the way it works out. I've left it with my manager. I don't want to say too much. We'll see what happens."
It has been a tough few weeks for the veteran centre. Since being told of the Knights' decision at the beginning of the month, Gagai has had to deal with the declining health of his grandmother and her subsequent passing early last week in Mackay.
He has spent the bulk of the month with his extended family north of the border, flying back for games against the Dragons, Manly and Roosters before returning to Mackay.
He hardly trained with the team during that period.
Despite his veteran status, Gagai remains an attacking force and is currently behind only Herble Farnworth and James Tedesco for the most tackle breaks.
YOUNG FORWARD EXTENDED
Impressive Samoan-born Knights forward
Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana is about to be rewarded for his eye-catching efforts off the bench in the NRI over the past few weeks.
Salesa-Leaumoana is under contract for
next season and will jump into the club's top 30 roster for the first time but is on the verge of extending his deal for a further 12 months, taking him out until the end of 2027
Knights coach Adam O'Brien believes the powerful 21-year-old has a big future.
"Yeah, we've been really impressed with both he and Jermaine (McEwen) and what they've been able to bring to the team off the bench over the past few weeks, O'Brien said. "Just their energy and leg speed has really lifted us when they've come on.'
On Salesa-Leaumoana, O'Brien said:
"He's got something special. I'm looking forward to seeing him develop."
EX-JUNIOR COMING HOME
Newcastle have moved to fill one of their vacant front row roster spots for 2026 with former Knights junior premiership-winningprop Lachlan Crouch poised for a home-coming.
We can reveal the 22-year-old Crouch, who has spent the past four seasons with the Cronulla Sharks, will rejoin the Knights in 2026 after agreeing to a three-year deal with his former club.
An East Maitland Griffins junior, Crouch is currently playing for Sharks' feeder club Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup competition and is yet to debut in the NRL.
He was poached by the Sharks from Newcastle in 2022, winning their SG Ball player of the year and played in their Jersey Flegg grand final side last season before graduating to Cup this year.
He was a member of the Knights' Harold Matts Under 16's grand final winning side back in 2019 before representing NSW Under 16's against Queensland.
SHOULDERING PAIN
Jack Hetherington's shoulder specialist ruled out more surgery following scans last week with the injury-plagued prop preparing to bite the bullet and play with pain when he makes his return in the Knights' NSW Cup clash against Parramatta in Sydney on Saturday.
Hetherington's chronic shoulder issues have restricted him to just six appearances this season with scar tissue from previous operations and arthritis believed to be contributors to his battle to get on the field.
Off contract at the end of the season, he has little hope of earning a new deal with the Knights and faces an uphill battle to eam a contract elsewhere unless he finishes the season strongly.
TESTING THE WATERS
Injured Newcastle prop Paul Bryan Is no certainty to remain at the club next season after opting to test his value on the open market rather than re-commit to the Knights.
It's understood Bryan, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery following a brave 20 minute cameo in his NRL debut, has rejected the Knights initial offer of a new two-year deal and is currently exploring his options elsewhere.
