The Broncos’ recruitment has come under fire following the signing of veteran centre Dane Gagai, a move that has left some observers puzzled.

Gagai will rejoin Brisbane for 2027 in what will likely be his final season in the NRL.

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Gagai signed a cut-price deal with the club he debuted and played six games for in 2011.

Several players are set to leave the Broncos at season’s end, including Payne Haas and outside backs Jesse Arthars and Gehamat Shibasaki.

While the Broncos didn’t break the bank to ink Gagai, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio is confused as to why the club have had to resort to signing a player of Gagai’s age given how strong the Broncos’ nursery is.

“How are they here? How are they here where the world’s best front rower walks out on the club and they’re losing other players,” Riccio said on NRL360.

“Grant Anderson, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Payne Haas leaving, Adam Reynolds leaving. OK, they aren’t world beaters but it’s the core of your roster.

“I want to say this about the greatest respect to Dane Gagai as he’s having an incredible season.

“He’s a champion but the Broncos do not need to sign 36-year-olds. The Brisbane Broncos should never have to sign 36-year-olds.

“They should never have to. They spend close to $1.2-$1.5 million in pathways and development. Double that of rival clubs … What is going on?”

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It was a point that foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley agreed with, noting the success of the Penrith Panthers’ all powerful pathways program.

“Look at their process for recruitment and retention as opposed to the Panthers and how that system just continues to regenerate player after player,” Crawley said.

Gagai isn’t the only player over 35 that Brisbane have agreed to a deal with in recent weeks,

36-year-old Ben Hunt signed a one-year extension with the club despite some recent spotty form although he has taken a significant pay cut to go around one more season.

Hunt will be tasked with stepping up as a leader next year with Haas and Reynolds out the door.

For that reason, Crawley says the Gagai signing makes sense.

“They’re lacking leadership. They’re lacking that senior figure with Reynolds and Haas leaving,” he said.