Knights fans can thank Dane Gagai’s sons for convincing him to continue on past next season, with their love of the city a key factor in the veteran’s decision to sign on for another year.
Speaking after their nail-biting 28-24 victory against the Titans – their fourth win in a row – Gagai said family was his biggest consideration when it came to weighing up his playing future.
“The biggest one for me is my family, they are the biggest key indications of me of staying at the club,” Gagai told pan66.com.
“They're both at school now, both boys are at school, so I didn't want to take them away from their mates.
“It all happened pretty quick, so I signed for the extra year and we'll just see how it goes, but it just gives us a bit more time if I did have to go somewhere else, they could get their heads around it.
“But we love Newcastle, they love Newcastle and just glad to be there for another year.”
The deal means Gagai has, with both parties agreeing to a mutual option for the final year of the deal.
The Knights returned to Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round and were looking to secure the two points before heading into their bye, but while they started strongly with two quick-fire tries, they had to fight back from a 24-10 half-time deficit in a seesawing contest, with Gagai saying they were nearly made to pay for their lapses.
“In the first half we spoke about just being a bit more disciplined and I think our completions (were good early); we got the two tries early and then I think that just gave us a false sense of how the game was going to be and then to the Titans’ credit, they ran hard,” Gagai said.
“They were playing pretty powerfully through the middle and then they were shifting on us and we just couldn't really find an answer in that first half.
“But then I think that halftime break, we just focused on our DNA and I guess what we're about and I guess that’s just getting in the game cycle.
“As cliché as it is; it's a simple game, but it's difficult to execute and we managed to just complete and kick to the corners and do the simple things right.”
The Knights were helped to their win by the skills of fullback Davy Armstrong, with the young Mungindi (from the Queensland side) talent scoring an important hat-trick.
Armstrong made his NRL debut at Suncorp Stadium back in Round 8 where he starred with a try and has since been filling in for the injured Ponga in style, with the Knights now winning four straight games since losing their their captain with injury.
“I was so excited when I got told he was making his debut because I knew what type of footy player he was and he's showing everyone what he's capable of,” Gagai said.
“I think he's only 80kg wringing wet, but he returns the ball with no fear and he's got that Preston Campbell type (of attitude).
“Size doesn't matter like Matty Bowen, he brings the ball back with a lot of venom for a small bloke and he's super skillful too.”
However, they also had to do without one of their strike weapons, with centre Bradman Best – who has been in rare form – not returning in the second half with a hamstring complaint.
Armstrong has a happy Magic Round
With coach Adam O’Brien saying it wasn't "all doom and gloom" and was hopeful Best would be back to full fitness soon, Gagai was also optimistic, knowing how key his contributions were to the team.
“He is really important to what we do, but I think the good thing is we're able to adjust on the run,” Gagai said.
“We put Dyl Lucas there and he was outstanding, did a good job defensively and in attack.
“But someone like Bradman Best, we want him in the team because I think he showed last week (against the Tigers) what he's capable and he showed in Origin what type of player he is.
“So hopefully there's nothing too serious and we've got the bye next week (so he’ll have more time).”
