Michael Hagan

Not many people know the intricacies of the nib Newcastle Knights better than Michael Hagan.

Whether it was as a player, coach, commentator, you name it.

His connection with the Club goes all the way back to 1989, when Hagan arrived in the Hunter as their marquee man after six seasons with the Bulldogs.

He already had three Grand Final appearances and two premierships (1985 and 1988) to his name before he made the decision to switch lanes on the other side of the M1.

His arrival was heralded as the first true 'marquee signing' for the Club, after fielding a team of battlers in '88.

Hagan quickly took an iron grip on the Club's No.6 jumper, and quietly went about his work building the side towards success.

Unlike his role at the Dogs, Hagan was no longer an understudy or back seat half. This team belonged to him. And it showed.

His ability to lead the squad saw him selected for the Maroons in 1989, where he would go on to play five games.

Barely missing a game in his five seasons as a player, Hagan notched 111 games for the Knights.

His time at the Club, as a player, ended in 1993. But what can't be doubted, is he handed over the keys of the Club in a far better state than when he found it.

The players he handed them to weren't too shabby either, with Matthew and Andrew Johns ready to burst onto the scene.

But Hagan's work was far from done.

Fast forward to 2001, and Hagan was back, having traded the football for the clipboard.

The success was instantaneous.

His guidance and deep wealth of football knowledge saw the Knights improve on their heartbreaking preliminary final exit in 2000, with the team winning the premiership in one of the great Grand Final boil-overs in Hagan's rookie season.

The premiership set Hagan up for a largely successful stint in coaching, missing the finals just twice.

His success was again rewarded with Origin football, with 'Hages' taking the reigns of the Maroons for two years before sliding into an Assistant gig under Mal Meninga.

With those two at the helm, the Maroons went on to win eight series in a row.

When Meninga was promoted to the Test role, it's no surprise he again took Hagan with him.

Aside from his duties with the Test side, Hagan is a regular face at every Knights home game as a commentator for Triple M Newcastle.

His expertise and connection to rugby league shines through in his commentary every single week.

Not to mention, he's an even better bloke, often seen stopping with fans to talk footy.

Which sums up Hages to a tee.

A great player, better coach and rugby league tragic.