Dane Nielsen

Dane Nielsen (born 10 June 1985) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. A Queensland State of Origin representative, he played as a centre and wing. He previously played in the NRL for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Melbourne Storm, with whom he won the 2012 NRL Premiership, the New Zealand Warriors, St. George Illawarra, South Sydney and also the Bradford Bulls in the English Super League.

From the North Queensland town of Mackay, Nielsen is of Indigenous Australian and Solomon Island descent.

He was a Norths Devils junior.

Nielsen started his NRL career with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, making his début on 20 July 2007 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

In 2008 Nielsen joined the Melbourne Storm, becoming a regular at centre. In 2009 Nielsen was sent-off for a high tackle in the Storm's round 15 clash with the Wests Tigers. He played for Melbourne on the wing in their 2009 NRL Grand Final win against the Parramatta Eels (which was stripped from the club after their salary cap scandal). Nielsen then went on to play in Melbourne's 2010 World Club Challenge victory against English champions, the Leeds Rhinos.

Nielsen was named as injured Greg Inglis' replacement at centre in the Queensland side for Game I and II of the 2011 State of Origin series.

In May 2012, he signed a three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors starting in 2013. Later that year he played in the third and deciding game of the 2012 State of Origin series which Queensland won. At the end of the season Nielsen played for the Melbourne Storm in their 2012 NRL Grand final victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Nielsen moved to Auckland for the 2013 New Zealand Warriors season, also the first for the club's new Australian coach Matthew Elliott.