Dane Nielsen
Centre / wing
Player Bio
- Date of Birth:
- 10 June 1985
- Birthplace:
- Mackay, Queensland
- Origin Debut:
- 25 May 2011
- Venue:
- Suncorp Stadium, Queensland
Career
Achievements
- State of Origin debut - Game I, 2011 at Suncorp Stadium
Career statistics
- Games
- 3
- Points
- 0
- Tries
- 0
Biography
Dane Nielsen played junior rugby league with Norths Devils in Mackay, before taking the plunge and moving to Sydney to play with Cronulla, where he spent three seasons, before cracking the NRL in 2007.
The following year, he moved to Melbourne to play with the Storm, and almost immediately felt at home. Nielson made his debut for the club on the wing against St George Illawarra in Round 10, 2008.
The following year, he progressed from being a fringe player to a vital part of the Storm machine, playing on the wing in the club's 23-16 win over Parramatta in the NRL grand final.
He made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in Game I of the 2011 series, as a replacement for the injured Greg Inglis.
Just getting involved in the camp and with an elite group of players, it was a great opportunity for me to learn so much.
Dane Nielsen FOG #171
Nielsen was considered something of a shock selection, given he had played only 43 NRL games at that stage of his career. But he did his state proud and kept his place in the centres, playing alongside Inglis, for the return clash.
Nielsen earned a recall for Origin duty in the 2012 series decider in Brisbane, and was part of a famous 21-20 victory. He was dropped back to reserve grade by Melbourne at one stage during 2012, but fought back to play centre in the club's 14-4 win over Canterbury in the NRL grand final.
Nielsen led the development and implementation of the Storm's Reconciliation Action Plan, after attending the World Indigenous Conference in New York. He moved to Auckland to play with the New Zealand Warriors in 2013, spending two seasons there, before returning to Australia to play with St George Illawarra.
His contract was terminated mid-season, and he returned to Mackay, playing for Souths Magpies. At the end of the Australian season, he had a brief stint with Bradford in the English Championship.
Nielsen returned to the NRL with South Sydney in 2016, but after a few games for feeder club, North Sydney in 2017, returned to Mackay.
He played a total of 118 NRL games.
Former Origin Greats
Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.