With rumors indicating that David Fifita would sign a contract with the Penrith Panthers and Dane Gagai is certain to re-sign with the Knights, the Roosters will have missed out on two major free agent targets in recent days.
That’s rarefied air for the Roosters, who can usually get whichever free agent they choose.
While the Fifita decision is still a little murky, it’s apparent that the Knights will hold onto Gagai, despite the Roosters offering a two-year deal opposed to Newcastle’s one-year offer with a mutual option for a second year in 2026.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis all but confirmed the Gagai news on NRL 360.
“This time yesterday if you asked me, I would have thought he’d be going to the Roosters on a two-year guaranteed deal, but he’s opted to stay at the Knights,” Carayannis said.
“It’s an interesting deal. The first year is guaranteed but the second year is a mutual option, so essentially, he’s off contract after one year, so he’s foregone that security of a two-year deal which shows where Newcastle are headed.
“We just spoke about the Gold Coast Titans and the blow that David Fifita leaving is for them… This is a shot in the arm for the Knights that a guy at the back end of his career, who hasn’t won a premiership, wants to stay at Newcastle for one year with no guarantee of a second season.”
With Fifita and Gagai apparently out of reach, NRL360 co-host Braith Anasta speculated on the Roosters’ next target.
With high-profile and costly players like Joey Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, and Joseph Suaalii leaving the club at the end of 2024, the Roosters have money to spend.
