WAYNE Bennett is set to lure Dane Gagai to Brisbane with the classy centre considering emulating Darius Boyd by quitting Newcastle to return to the Broncos.

In a crushing blow to the Knights’ hopes of retaining Gagai, the Maroons Origin hopeful has privately expressed a desire to resurrect his Broncos career under Bennett.

Newcastle hierarchy are refusing to give up hope, with the club’s director of football, Michael Hagan, having tabled a deal to keep Gagai out of the Broncos’ clutches.

But The Courier-Mail understands Gagai will be a Bronco next season as Bennett ramps-up his backline succession plan for veteran centre Justin Hodges.

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Bennett declined to comment yesterday, but the seven-time premiership-winning coach succeeded in securing Boyd and Broncos powerbrokers are confident he will also land Gagai.

Two years ago, Gagai was jettisoned from Brisbane by former coach Anthony Griffin for minor disciplinary issues. But Bennett threw the 24-year-old a lifeline at Newcastle and remains unaltered in his belief Gagai should never have been axed by the Broncos.

So serious is their interest, the Broncos are currently assessing their salary-cap position and the form of off-contract players to find ways to accommodate Gagai.

Well-placed sources say Gagai has verbally assured Bennett he will be at Red Hill next season, but Hagan yesterday stressed the Knights will fight for his signature.

“We aren’t giving up the fight,” Hagan said.

“We’re not naive in regards to the Broncos, we’ll do our best and provide the best opportunities. It will be for Dane to weigh up, but we’ve tabled an offer and we’ll see what he decides.

“I had the same opportunities as Dane to go to Queensland and I’m here 25 years later. Once you get yourself settled in Newcastle, there’s a lot of positive reasons why you want to raise your family and get settled here.”

One ace up Brisbane’s sleeve is the presence of Gagai’s younger brother Jacob, who joined the Broncos over summer after leaving Newcastle due to homesickness.

Bennett’s links with the family span almost 30 years, with Gagai’s father Ray having been mentored by the super coach during the Broncos’ formative years in the late 1980s.

Before last month’s NRL All Stars clash, Gagai spoke of Bennett’s almost fatherly influence as he picked up the pieces following his Broncos axing.

“He is the sort of coach that players do follow him and it is no secret my dad played under him,” he said.

“Wayne has always looked out for me and I know any advice he gives me will be with my best interests at heart.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Newcastle but this next deal is a really important one for me, so I want to make sure I am in the right place to get the best out of the short time I have in the game.”