'Concerned' fans demand club act on off-contract star

Concerned Knights fans have started an online petition to keep star centre Dane Gagai at the club in 2026.

The former State of Origin centre has, along with Fletcher Sharpe, been the best player in an under-performing team this year and was the hero of Thursday night's stunning comeback with over the Sea Eagles from 16-0 down.

Club officials have decided against taking up Gagai's option for next season - although they may change their tune given his recent run of form.

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Gagai has already attracted the support of several thousand fans in the online petition to keep him in the Hunter for another year.

WIN FOR STRUGGLING DRAGONS

The struggling Dragons are set to receive a massive boost with in-form hooker Jacob Liddle poised to reject offers from rival clubs to remain with the Red V.

Playing behind star signing Damien Cook after his arrival at the club, Liddle has had a frustrating season, starting on the bench and getting less game time than he wants.

With an option to leave, Liddle was all set to quit the club, but has had a change of start and is close to signing a long-term deal until the end of 2029.

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"We had a long talk about it and Jacob is happy at the club and Damien will probably retire at the end of next season so that will be an opportunity for him," Liddle's manager Gavin Orr told Wide World of Sports.

"He was in-demand for sure but looks like staying put."

SUCCESS PUTS PETERS ON RADAR

Mark down Willie Peters as the next coach in line to get an NRL gig.

Clubs have been aware of Peters' talents for the past couple of years in Super League and his stocks rose even higher last weekend after he steered Hull KR to a tense win in the Challenge Cup final against the Sam Burgess-coached Warrington Wolves.

Peters, a talented halfback with the Rabbitohs and Dragons in the 1990s and 2000s, has already worked as an assistant with several NRL clubs and it's only a matter of time before he gets a top job at one of several struggling Aussie clubs.

OFFSIDE COACH UNDER FIRE

Which coach has been caught out by his players telling lies to the media?

The coach concerned has already lost the sheds and the players are now whispering openly about him and his strange ways.

It will be interesting to see if he survives until 2026, with club officials currently evaluating his long-term future.