Griffin says Gagai welcome back

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said the Broncos door was not closed to youngster Dane Gagai if he could iron out the disciplinary issues which led to the NRL club releasing him.

The Broncos have let the promising outside back go despite signing him until 2014 just two months ago.

“I’d never say never and I said that to him yesterday,” said Griffin when asked if the 21-year-old could fight his way back into the Broncos fold in the future.

“In a few years’ time, if he wants to come back to the club and we’ve got a need for him and he’s in a different space, then we’d consider it.”

Gagai’s manager Col Davis told AAP on Wednesday a return to rugby union was not out of the question once all the emotion settled down.

“Dane is remorseful and determined to dig himself out of this,” said Davis.

“He was a pretty handy No.10 for Brisbane Boys’ College at school, but he just needs to take a deep breath and clear his head before making any decisions.

“His next decision will be critical in his career.”

Brisbane gave Gagai numerous chances before Griffin broke the tough news to him on Tuesday.

The Broncos could have made the call to release him weeks earlier but they wanted to give him an opportunity to turn his attitude around.

Unfortunately he didn’t grasp the consequences.

A gutted Gagai accepted responsibility for leaving Griffin with no option following his latest indiscretion in a string of breaches.

“I stuffed up. It’s my fault I’m in this situation,” Gagai told The Courier-Mail.

“It’s the kick in the pants I need to help me become more accountable for my off-field actions.

“I now clearly understand what my responsibilities and obligations are to become a professional footy player.”

Griffin did not want to say how many times Gagai had breached the club’s rules.

“I hope Dane Gagai plays 100 or 200 games of football somewhere,” he said.

“He’s a kid we’ve had in our system for a long while.

“(but) we’re very hard and strong on our values and we had to protect the rest of the group and not compromise what we’re trying to achieve at this club.

“He’s only young and he might learn. If it was only about talent we wouldn’t be making the decision we’ve made. He’s a very talented player.

“I hope it’s the kick in the backside he needs and I hope he’s got a long career ahead of him.”

North Queensland football manager Peter Parr said his club hadn’t had an opportunity to discuss the possibility of bringing Gagai home to the Cowboys.

“Obviously he’s a very good young player and he is from north Queensland,” Parr told AAP.

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