There is drama brewing at Newcastle and it doesn’t involve coach Adam O’Brien or star fullback Kalyn Ponga.
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While they have been subject of every recent headline surrounding the club, this time it is veteran centre Dane Gagai who is the talk of the Hunter.
Respected Newcastle Herald journalist Barry Toohey reported on Thursday that Gagai is seriously considering walking out on the club at the end of the season.
Toohey reported that Gagai feels “disrespected” after being told he will need to take a pay cut of around $100,000 if he wants to stay in Newcastle beyond this year.
Gagai reportedly has a club option worth $400,000 for next season but the Knights chose not to exercise it, instead trying to get him to stay for less in a move that looks like it could backfire.
The Knights made a “modest increase” to their original offer early last week according to Toohey, but it appears the damage has already been done in some respect.
“I’ve been taken for granted because they didn’t think I’d move my family again,” Gagai told the publication.
“The disrespect is the biggest thing. I know Adz [coach Adam O’Brien] still wants me around. He’s made me captain so I must be doing something right.”
Toohey reported Gagai is “so filthy about his treatment” that he has said that even if he doesn’t get a satisfactory offer from a rival NRL club he would consider either retiring or playing in the Super League alongside brother Jacob.
However, two NRL clubs have reportedly shown interest in Gagai according to the Herald and the Knights centre is said to have no issue with moving down to Sydney for the right offer.
“I’ll leave if I have to,” Gagai previously told the Herald in June after the Knights didn’t activate the contract option in their favour.
“I love the club but I’ll have no qualms about moving back to Sydney if that’s the way it works out.”
Tyson Frizell is in a similar position to Gagai according to Toohey, having also had his contract option rejected by the club.
BRONCOS FORWARD’S STRATEGIC CONTRACT MOVE
Elsewhere, Broncos gun Kobe Hetherington has reportedly signed a one-year contract extension to remain in Red Hill for the 2026 season, turning down a bigger deal.
According to Code Sports, the 26-year-old’s short-term future is now locked down, joining the likes of Adam Reynolds, Kotoni Staggs and Blake Mozer who recently re-signed.
However, Hetherington could be putting himself in the shopfront for expansion clubs the Perth Bears and PNG, with the Bears being able to negotiate with off-contract players on November 1.
By signing only a one-year deal, Hetherington could be set to field a lucrative offer to make the move west.
“It’s a great result,” Hetherington’s manager Chris Haddad said.
“Kobe is happy at the Broncos, so we were happy to extend for one year and we’ll see what happens after that.
“The Broncos offered us a two-year deal but we were happy to do another 12 months and Kobe will keep testing and challenging himself.
“He could have left the Broncos. Several Sydney clubs were keen on Kobe.
“But when we sat down with ‘Madge’ (Maguire), he wanted a chance to work with Kobe and he is enjoying being coached by Madge.”
Hetherington was reportedly being targeted by the Tigers and Dragons and came desperately close to departing the Broncos in pre-season.
Now, with their key middle forward’s signature secured, Brisbane bosses will turn their attention to retaining Cory Paix and Corey Jensen.
‘One finals win’: O’Brien Knights debate | 03:31
ROOSTERS JUNIOR’S NFL SWITCH
A 132 kilogram, 198cm 15-year-old who is a part of the Roosters’ junior system is reportedly set to join the NFL Academy on the Gold Coast.
According to Code Sports, Talby Smith has been awarded with a place in the elite academy in a huge stepping stone towards a career in the NFL.
Smith is originally from Orange, being snapped up by the Tricolours and travelling four hours each way just to attend training.
The young gun will now make the move to the Gold Coast, spending more than three years in the academy before a potential move to the United States.
“But with the way forwards in the NRL have evolved in recent years Talby, who is still only 15, and hasn’t finished growing, is almost too big for rugby league,” Smith’s agent Talon Woodward said.
“We quickly realised that there also could be a pathway for him in the NFL too.”
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However, NFL scouts haven’t been the only interested parties.
“He’s already had some interest from the Queensland Reds since moving to the Gold Coast, so that could be an option for him in the future too,” Woodward said.
“But he is still young, so the big thing for us and his parents is to keep as many doors open for him as he continues to develop.
“But this NFL opportunity is invaluable and with the coaching and guidance, hopefully he can excel.”
Smith is reportedly been trained as an offensive and defensive line, which could potentially see him follow the footsteps of Aussie Jordan Mailata.
Mailata was the first international pathway program player to be drafted into the NRL in 2018, becoming the first Aussie to win a Super Bowl earlier this year.
