NRL market watch: Broncos legend Gorden Tallis questions whether Payne Haas is worth more than Brisbane has offered

A Broncos legend has questioned whether Payne Haas is worth more than Brisbane is offering amid fears the club could be blown out of the water by Sydney rivals when he hits the open market.

Payne Haas is heading to the open market.

Brisbane great Gorden Tallis has given Payne Haas a reality check, claiming he is “no Glenn Lazarus” as the Broncos face a $1 million battle to keep the NSW Origin enforcer at Red Hill.

Haas’ management dropped a bombshell on the Broncos last week by revealing the star prop is heading to free agency from November 1, triggering fears Brisbane’s No. 1 forward could quit the club next year.

The Broncos have discussed a three-year, $1 million-a-season extension until the end of 2027, but Haas is baulking at signing the deal, a clear sign the Blues bookend wants to test his value on the open market.

The 23-year-old is widely regarded as the NRL’s best prop and could command upwards of $1 million on the open market, with his agent claiming all 16 clubs have expressed interest in Haas.

But Tallis is not convinced Haas is worth more than what the Broncos are already willing to pay him.

While he regards Haas in the top echelon of modern-day forwards, Tallis offered a candid critique, saying the four-time Paul Morgan Medallist has yet to provide the premiership influence the legendary Lazarus brought to Brisbane.

Gorden Tallis has questioned how much Payne Haas is worth to the Broncos. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

After winning two titles at Canberra, front-row colossus Lazarus joined Brisbane in 1992 and had an immediate impact, spearheading watershed back-to-back premierships to turn the Broncos into a superpower.

“There’s no Glenn Lazarus in him,” Fox Sports and NRL 360 co-host Tallis said of Haas.

“I’ve watched him (Haas) really closely.

“When he was at his best, and close to winning the Dally M, the Broncos got the wooden spoon (in 2020).

“As good as Payne Haas is, and he’s an unbelievable player, it’s about changing the results.

“Is he the player that changes the result?

“That’s what you ask yourself.”

There are fears Sydney clubs could price Brisbane out of retaining Payne Haas. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Imagery.

A veteran of 11 Origin games, Haas has yet to win a series for NSW as a starting front-rower, tasting an interstate trophy win in 2021 as a rookie off the Blues bench.

For all his critics, Haas is the fittest front-rower in rugby league — he can easily play 80 minutes on a weekly basis — and his remarkable engine will make him hot property on the open market.

Haas is averaging 190 metres and 28 tackles per game this season and the Broncos cannot afford to lose their chief enforcer given that his front-row cohort Tom Flegler will join the Dolphins next season.

Brisbane Broncos great Glenn Lazarus. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Former Broncos skipper Corey Parker said he had concerns Haas could chase more lucrative deals in Sydney.

“If he wants to stay at Brisbane, why is he going to the open market?” Parker said.

“It’s a real concern for the Broncos.

“It’s going to be very hard for Brisbane to keep him long-term, because if Payne truly wants to be a Bronco, he doesn’t put himself on the open market on November 1.

“If I’m 100 per cent committed to the Broncos cause, I wouldn’t put myself on the open market.”

Haas’ manager Ahmad Merhi said last week the Broncos ace hasn’t ruled out staying at Red Hill.

“He hasn’t had the chance to test his value, so we want to make sure his deal is fair on the open market and if it is, he will never complain in the future,” he said.

“We can’t put a value on him, he is worth what any club will pay for him.

“We just want transparency on his true value and Payne employs me, so he will make the final decision.

“I am being totally transparent with the Broncos and his full commitment is to Brisbane until the end of the season.”

Originally published as NRL market watch: Broncos legend Gorden Tallis questions whether Payne Haas is worth more than Brisbane has offered