Veteran Newcastle Knights centre Dane Gagai is focused on advancing past a crucial finals match against his former club, South Sydney Rabbitohs, confident that his career will not end prematurely despite the high stakes. The clash, scheduled for Friday night, pits two teams who have each experienced a resurgence this season under new leadership, with Newcastle coached by Justin Holbrook and South Sydney under Wayne Bennett.

Gagai, a four-time State of Origin representative and a key figure for the Knights since his move in 2023, has been on a personal mission throughout the 2026 regular season. He has swapped jerseys with a player from every opposing team, highlighting the significance he places on the upcoming matches as he approaches the twilight of his career. The centre cited South Sydney winger Alex Johnston, currently the competition’s leading try-scorer with 30 tries in 2026, as his most prized jersey swap this year.

Johnston is a central figure in South Sydney’s attack, alongside Latrell Mitchell, who is returning to form, and Cody Walker, whose versatility poses a consistent threat on the left edge. Gagai noted Walker’s ability to switch between structured play and opportunistic runs as a key factor in the Rabbitohs' offensive potency.

Gagai’s familiarity with South Sydney and Johnston dates back to their time together at the Rabbitohs, where they combined in 76 matches as the left centre and wing pairing. Their partnership nearly culminated in a premiership in 2021, when the team fell short in the grand final against Penrith. Despite these connections, Gagai emphasized that friendship will be set aside in the finals as both players focus on their respective team goals.

“Nothing’s different for me. I’ve got a job to do this weekend,” Gagai said. “If I don’t do it, or we don’t do it as a collective, then that’s our season done. I want to win a premiership here before I go, and that started Round One this year.”

The match represents Holbrook’s first finals game as Knights coach and could also mark the final appearance of Gagai in a Newcastle jersey. The 33-year-old has announced intentions to return to the Brisbane Broncos for the 2027 season, bringing his professional career full circle after 16 years.

Despite this, Gagai remains reluctant to consider the possibility that Friday’s game might be his last with Newcastle. “My focus isn’t on ‘oh this could be my last game’ or anything like that,” he said. “If I don’t perform this weekend, then it will be my last game, and I don’t want to think about that.”

Both teams’ recent improvements and the high caliber of play expected in the elimination final promise a tightly contested encounter, with the winner advancing towards the premiership and the loser ending their season.