Dane Gagai departs Newcastle for Brisbane in post-grand-final exodus
Dane Gagai, Tyson Frizell, and recruitment chief Peter O'Sullivan have all left Newcastle after the Knights' grand final run.
Veteran centre Dane Gagai has returned to Brisbane to play for the Broncos after leaving Newcastle. Gagai's loss stings even though the club saw it coming; he was the heart of the team in their finals push, especially when matched against Latrell Mitchell.
Veteran backrower Tyson Frizell followed Gagai out the door, joining Wests Tigers after negotiations for a new Knights deal stalled. Like Gagai, Frizell was immense in the finals.
The bigger shock came when recruitment chief Peter O'Sullivan left for the Broncos on a deal worth roughly $500,000 a year. O'Sullivan had only recently joined Newcastle but was responsible for key signings including Dylan Brown and finals hero Sandon Smith.
However, the club held its ground elsewhere. Coach Justin Holbrook signed a two-year extension through 2030, and captain Kalyn Ponga committed to the same timeframe.
CEO Peter Parr reaffirmed his commitment to the project.
- Latrell Mitchell
- Gagai's final opponent
- 500,000 dollars per year
- O'Sullivan's contract value
- 2030
- Holbrook's extension through
- Dylan Brown and Sandon Smith
- Key signings by O'Sullivan
Why it mattersNewcastle's ability to hold its core leadership after losing star players signals the club can rebuild rather than collapse.
AustraliaNewcastle Knights fans will watch closely whether the departures derail the club's 2026 grand final momentum or whether retained leaders can maintain the turnaround.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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