NRL Round 19: Melbourne Storm win 32-14 over Newcastle Knights
Fans have started a petition to re-sign unwanted Knights star Dane Gagai, who was a surprise replacement for Kalyn Ponga in Newcastle’s loss to Melbourne.
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When Adam O’Brien has previously been forced to stave off calls for his head, the Knights coach could call on his $1.3 million fullback Kalyn Ponga.
That’s not the case this time around.
This time, O’Brien is relying on a veteran the club has told they don’t want to cover the loss of Ponga for the remainder of the season and a playmaker in Jackson Hastings who won’t be at the club next year either.
Former Test centre Dane Gagai was a shock replacement for Ponga at fullback for Newcastle in their 32-14 loss to the Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
With Fletcher Hunt, who was originally named at fullback being shuffled to the centres prior to kick-off, it was Gagai’s first game at the back since 2018.
The 34-year-old couldn’t have tried harder to lead the Knights from the back of the field.
He ran for 200-metres, produced five tackle busts, two line breaks and a try assist for one of winger Dominic Young’s two tries.
The issue for the Knights is, they are asking Gagai to give his heart and soul for a club that have rejected him. Hastings, who played halfback on Saturday afternoon, is in the same situation.
While Hastings has known for months that he’s not in the club’s plans, the club still has time to backflip on their strange decision to let Gagai go.
The Newcastle recruitment staff recently decided against triggering a club option to retain Gagai for 2026, worth an estimated $400,000.
Having witnessed first-hand the willingness to give his all each week in the Knights jersey, coupled with his skill-level and experience from 307 NRL games and 23 Origins and now his versatility to cover fullback, Newcastle fans have started a petition directed at Knights management to re-sign him.
Former South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou said he couldn’t believe the Knights were willing to let such quality experience walk out the door.
“I love ‘Gags,’’ Demetriou told Triple M
“I worked with him at the Rabbitohs, I was absolutely devastated when we couldn’t keep him there.
“He was the one player I knew we were definitely going to miss.
“He’s gone onto Newcastle and the thing about Gags is, who is going to take his spot next year?
“And if the answer is no one, then he’s worth keeping at the club because he brings so much off the field that I’m sure all the Newcastle boys will support.
“($400,000) isn’t a lot.
“Gags is settled there (Newcastle) now, he’s got his family there, so he’s passionate about the area, about the club and he’d definitely be a good buy.’’
The irony is, Gagai’s influence on the Knights is never more paramount as they cling to faint finals hopes.
That challenge has become even more difficult following the loss to the Storm and a foot injury which will require scans for promising backrower Dylan Lucas.
FIVE TRY BLITZ SAVES STORM AFTER KNIGHTS BLOW HALFTIME LEAD
—Jack Blyth
The Melbourne Storm have dominated the second-half to snag a crucial 32-14 victory over Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
Only half of Melbourne’s Origin contingent would roll into the Hunter for the clash, with both Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates given a spell on the back of the Maroons’ 24-12 series win on Wednesday night.
Despite missing some major x-factor through Coates, Munster and the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Storm would crack the scoreboard first, slotting an early penalty goal to snatch a 2-0 lead.
Carrying the NRL’s worst attack and missing some major spark through Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe, you could excuse the Knights for missing the jump.
However, it took the home side less than 15 minutes to cross for one of the tries of the season down their right edge.
A late switch before kick-off saw Dane Gagai drop back to fullback, with rookie Fletcher Hunt moving back to right centre, despite donning the No. 1 jersey.
A quick shift 40-metres out saw Gagai find Hunt, tapping it on to Dominic Young to race down the touchline before chipping over fill-in fullback Nick Meaney.
The ball propped up perfectly for the Englishman, dotting down millimetres inside from the touchline for an early 4-2 lead.
Without half their spine, Melbourne couldn’t find any rhythm in attack, repeatedly hoisting it high for Eli Katoa down the right edge to no avail.
A shocking cut-out pass from Hughes sailed over the sideline, handing Newcastle key field position, and eventually, an extended lead.
Another routine shift to the right found Gagai sweeping out the back again, this time cutting Hunt out for his winger, Young extending the lead to six after trampling Grant Anderson.
After 39 minutes of clunky sweeps and hail Mary high kicks, a crafty kick from Jahrome Hughes would finally get the Storm on the board before the break.
Playing the short side following a half-break from Joe Chan, Hughes would go high again on the last tackle. Greg Marzhew only had eyes for Kane Bradley, giving Katoa a clean catch to plant the ball down untouched.
The 8-6 half-time deficit was quickly overturned, an early penalty in the second stanza propelling Craig Bellamy’s side into the Knights’ red zone.
Another scramble on the last found Bradley throwing it back to Grant, the rake sending a grubber hurdling into the upright and into the hands of Queensland teammate Trent Loiero to snatch the lead.
While it appeared a lucky bounce for Loiero, skipper Harry Grant was adamant he was aiming for the sticks.
“Yeah (it was intentional),” the hooker said with a smirk post-match.
“The line came up and I saw a bit of space there, anything at the posts to try and create something. I
“t’s an effort play from Trent to be pushing there, you make your own luck to move your feet.”
A Hughes bomb close to the line doubled their advantage minutes later, this time hoisting it close to the line for Bradley to rise above Marzhew for a try of his own.
After finally setting up shop in Melbourne’s 20, a wayward Hastings pass handed Katoa a 70m intercept, and Loiero a double just a few plays later after another Hughes pass.
The Kiwi halfback had the game by the scruff of the neck in the second-half, slotting a 40/20 before firing another bullet pass to Bradley to snag a double of his own later the next set.
The 26-8 lead was enough for Bellamy to give his skipper Grant a breather, as well as Hughes’ fourth try-assist of the afternoon.
Newcastle wouldn’t fold then and there, Dom Young’s late offload ricochetting off Storm defenders and straight to Fletcher Hunt for the rookie’s second career try.
Despite the late glimmer of hope, a hard-running Katoa shrugged off the much smaller Jack Cogger to slam the ball down for a double, and re-establish the Storm’s 32-14 lead.
Although they managed to find some space down their left-side in the dying minutes, Newcastle couldn’t find the killer blow, suffering their seventh home loss this season.
O’Brien, a former assistant to Craig Bellamy at the Storm, can see just how high quality this Melbourne side is in 2025.
“They’re a good footy team, they know how to get it done.
“They’ve got some really dangerous individuals, and they’re finding ways to win when they’re not at their best, definitely one of the teams to beat.”
They’ll have a chance to redeem themselves next weekend against a depleted Warriors outfit, while Melbourne’s minor premiership pursuit continues against arch rivals Manly.
AIR KATOA THE NEW STORM STAPLE
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? The new Superman movie may have released this week, but no, it’s Eli Katoa, sailing through the air once again.
Ever since the former Warrior dominated a game aerially a few weeks back, a high-kick to Katoa has become the old firm of Melbourne’s newest trick up their sleeve.
The back-rower scored one off a bomb as well as barmstorming over for a late double, as well as picking up 70-metres through an intercept. He might just be the NRL’s best attacking second-rower right now.
Head coach Craig Bellamy was clearly blown away when talking about his back-rower’s efforts.
“He never ceases to amaze.
“Some of the stuff he comes up with, obviously he’s made a name for himself competing for high balls and scoring off kicks, but he found some different ways to score today.
“The season he’s having for us is quite unbelievable.”
HUGHES BACK IN DALLY M FORM
Jahrome Hughes was voted the NRL’s best player last season, however the Kiwi halfback hasn’t hit the same highs as last season in 2025.
It didn’t stop the No. 7 from dominating Newcastle in the second-half. After a sluggish opening stanza, Hughes was in everything in the second period, jagging four try-assists and kicking a 40/20 on the way to victory.
Now entering the final third of the season, it seems Melbourne’s main men are hitting their straps at the perfect time.
Despite a slow start to the clash, Bellamy was thrilled to see his halfback step up when the side needed him.
“He probably didn’t have the first-half that he would have liked, but that happens at times.
“He defintley clicked into gear in the second-half. I think he had four try-assists, kicking game was really good.
“I just thought he really took charge and led the way.”
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