Dane Gagai reveals how two of the toughest moments of his career are driving his push for a premiership ring

It was the Origin bombshell that could have broken Newcastle veteran Dane Gagai. Instead, it is driving him to push for his first premiership ring. He opens up about his toughest career moments.

Dane Gagai has opened up on one of the toughest moment of his career. Picture: Getty Images

Newcastle veteran Dane Gagai has revealed how his sacking at the Broncos, coupled with his shock axing from the Queensland Origin team, have been driving forces in his quest for a maiden premiership ring.

Gagai and fellow Queenslander Kalyn Ponga will be key backline weapons for the Knights in Saturday’s sudden-death semi-final showdown with the Warriors at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.

For Gagai, victory would move him within two wins of premiership glory, which would be sweet reward after the twists and turns of a 12-year NRL career headlined by his setbacks with the Broncos and Maroons.

Touted as a future star at Brisbane in 2011, Gagai was sensationally sacked by then Broncos coach Anthony Griffin and it took a lifeline from Wayne Bennett at the Knights to save his NRL career.

Earlier this season, Gagai then suffered the ultimate hammer blow, dropped from the Queensland side by coach Billy Slater after seven years and 22 games of outstanding service for the Maroons.

The Origin bombshell could have broken Gagai, but the lessons of his demise at the Broncos helped the 32-year-old rise from the canvas again to help spearhead Newcastle’s late-season title assault.

Dane Gagai was dropped from the Queensland side this year. Picture: Getty Images

“Missing the Origin team was the toughest time of my footy career,” Gagai said ahead of the Warriors elimination final.

“Getting that phone (call) from Billy was really hard to take

“Me and Billy had an honest chat.

“It wasn’t easy for Billy to make that phone call either, because he helped get me my opportunity for my Origin debut in game three of 2015.

“Billy ruled himself out with a shoulder injury and he presented me with my debut jersey.

“I understood it wasn’t easy for him either (dropping Gagai), but you have to put the team first.

“Billy picked the best team in his eyes and as a proud Queenslander, I will always support Queensland.

“It was a tough moment but I had to move on and not let it affect my season with the Knights.

“As disappointing as it was, it gave me a point to prove and it gave me more motivation to show that I was still capable of playing good footy.

“That’s definitely motivated me for the back end of the season.”

Given his early turbulence at the Broncos, it is remarkable to think that Gagai is still delivering in the NRL.

The Mackay flyer was just 20 when he had his Broncos contract torn up by Griffin for poor discipline after turning up late several times to training. He had played just six first-grade games.

Fast forward 12 years and Gagai is a 268-game NRL veteran desperate for a premiership breakthrough after his near miss at Souths in their loss to Penrith in the 2021 decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Dane Gagai celebrates a try with Newcastle teammate Tyson Frizell. Picture: Getty Images

Gagai pays tribute to Bennett for hauling him off the Broncos scrapheap.

“That was a real kick in the guts,” Gagai says of his Broncos sacking.

“I remember it clear as day.

“I had an absolute blinder in a Queensland Cup game and I got called into the office (by Griffin).

“I was thinking I’m getting called back into the NRL team and then they told me I was being let go.

“It rattled me, but when things like that happen, it puts a little fire in your belly and you want to prove a point.

“When the Broncos let me go, I didn’t know where I was going to go.

“At the time, I had a second hand BMW and I met Wayne Bennett for a chat.

“I had all my bags in there because I didn’t have a place I was staying at. I had a dining chair in the front seat.

“Wayne looked at my car and he said, “Dane, you are the first bloke I have seen turn a BMW into a motorhome’.

“I followed him to Newcastle in 2012 and the rest is history.”

The Knights’ lifeline is another reason why Gagai would relish bringing the NRL trophy back to the Steel City for the first time since 2001.

“This season has been unreal,” he said.

“The connection between the players and the coaching staff, it feels like a genuine club.

“Everyone is all in. It’s a case of: you are either a Knights person or you aren’t and that’s been the key to our success this year, everyone buying in and working together.”