Payne Haas called into question amid reports of $3.3m 'rejection' of Broncos
The Broncos front-rower has often stated his desire to play for a premiership contender - have Brisbane done enough?
Payne Haas and his management team have been called into question regarding their intentions with the Brisbane Broncos, despite the 23-year-old's manager Ahmad Merhi declaring the pair have a 'wonderful relationship' with coach Kevin Walters. Haas' contract is up at the end of the 2024 NRL season, leaving him free to hear offers from rivals clubs starting from November 1.
The Broncos have reportedly tabled a three-year NRL extension worth roughly $3.3 million which will kick in from 2025 onwards, however Haas remains interested in hearing out offers from the likes of the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs. His camp have maintained that the total value of the contract is not the only consideration for the State of Origin front-rower, who is determined to play at a long-term premiership contender.
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With the Broncos sitting second on the NRL ladder heading into round 24, the club could be forgiven for believing they have already made significant inroads into achieving that goal. Ahead of Haas' 100th game this weekend, Merhi confirmed that no deal had yet been signed with the Broncos, furthering the belief among NRL observers that Haas will test his market after enduring several seasons in the past best described as uncompetitive prior to Walters' arrival.
Merhi insisted that ongoing talk of Haas' future deal was a distraction from both his milestone game as well as their premiership ambitions in 2023. However Fox League's Phil Rothfield revealed his own conversations with Mehri had left him believing that the offer tabled by the Broncos was going to fall short of expectations.
“I got the impression from his management that they’re going to reject this offer from the Broncos,” Rothfield said. “They’re going to stick to what he originally said, which is go to market in November and look at what’s available from the likes of the Bulldogs and the Storm.
“He didn’t say it outright but gave me a very strong indication that the Broncos’ offer (wasn’t enough). Payne is on record saying this isn’t all about money, it’s about winning premierships and if the Broncos aren’t in a premiership window I’ll deadset turn it up, he can win a title there.”
However fellow NRL 360 panellist Gorden Tallis suggested Haas ought to be cautious about rejecting the offer, which would see him earning just over $1 million per season. He said higher costs of living, particularly in Sydney when compared to Brisbane, would have a noticeable impact.
“What he has to realise is down in Sydney it’s twice as expensive to live so that million dollars goes a long way in Queensland,” Tallis said. “You earn $1.1m in Brisbane, it’s like earning $1.5m or $1.6m here, guaranteed. I think that’s a great offer and would be the highest paid front-rower ever and highest paid in Broncos history.”
Kevin Walters adamant Broncos will be able to retain Payne Haas
Walters also joined Fox League to discuss the looming contract saga, saying it was beyond doubt that Haas would be a key component of any potential premiership side at Red Hill. He argued their impressive form in 2023, boasting a 16-5 record to date, showed the club had improved to the level of premiership contention.
“One of the things we have to provide for Payne is premierships, he wants to play at a successful club and I feel we’re providing that for him right now,” Walters said. “He’s the best prop in the game and has been for the last couple of years.
"We love having him in the club and I’d expect that we come up with a package for Payne that keeps him certainly happy financially but most importantly happy on the field where he’s been playing some terrific football. He’s one we’re certainly looking at keeping and our guys are going really hard to make sure that happens.”
NRL reporter Brent Read said it would be panic stations at Red Hill if Haas knocked back what he considered to be an attractive contract - particularly considering the Broncos had achieved two of Haas' previously stated requests, that of a million-dollar salary and premiership contention.
“The Broncos have tabled an official offer, it’s a three-year extension, he’s got an upgrade next year to take him to that $1 million mark and then it’s $3.25 million over the next three years, all up it’s about a $3.4 million package for a three-year extension,” Read said. “If I’m the Broncos and Payne says he wants to turn down this deal and go to November 1, I’m really concerned because that says to me… this sort of deal and you don’t take it, it sets off alarm bells.
“Because it’s a good offer and they’re in a premiership window. It’s everything he wanted so if he doesn’t take it…” Tallis responded to add there was little more the Broncos could do to keep him happy if the club's position as of August was not viewed as good enough in comparison to the likes of Melbourne or Canterbury.
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