Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy issues ‘hands-off’ edict to other NRL clubs over Payne Haas

Broncos boss Dave Donaghy has provided a hands-off edict to rival clubs over Payne Haas, torpedoing fears he could quit the club they ramp-up plans to keep their superstar prop.

Broncos boss Dave Donaghy has issued a hands-off edict to rival clubs over Payne Haas and torpedoed fears he could quit the club as Brisbane ramp-up plans to keep their superstar prop.

Breaking his silence over Haas’ future, Donaghy declared Brisbane are up for the fight to stave off poaching threats as the Broncos’ no.1 prop prepares for Saturday night’s clash against Wests Tigers.

Haas is the form prop in the league and will wage front-row fireworks with Tigers sensation Terrell May, a potential future NSW Origin teammate, in the round 5 showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

By virtue of his sizzling form, Haas’ contract status has become a key talking point, with Manly last week confirming their interest in signing the NSW Origin enforcer for 2027 and beyond.

The 25-year-old is off-contract at the end of 2026, making him a free agent from November 1 this year, giving the Broncos a seven-month headstart to secure Haas.

The Broncos have been urged to hand Haas a 10-year, lifetime deal and Brisbane are ready to begin talks on a contract extension, with Donaghy adamant Haas will not walk out on the club.

“We intend to keep him at the Broncos for the long-term,” said Donaghy, who was a key figure in retaining Haas in 2023 on his current three-year deal.

“I’m sure every club would be interested in a player of Payne’s ability, but from where I sit, I’ve never seen Payne happier.

“We love him at the club, I hope he feels that love.

“We will sit down with Payne and his team soon enough and start talking about his future beyond his current contact.

“He has grown into a very impressive man and leader and we intend to have him as part of our club for a long time to come.”

Aiding Brisbane’s retention battle is Haas’ current salary.

The five-time Paul Morgan Medallist is Brisbane’s highest-paid player on $1.1 million this season and it would take a record-breaking offer from an NRL rival, north of $1.4m, to have any hope of a Haas heist.

Haas dropped a bombshell on Brisbane in 2022 when he blindsided the club by asking for an immediate release – that was rejected.

But since those ructions, the prop has become a settled figure at the Broncos.

The 119kg hardman is now a father of two and has taken on custody of his two younger brothers, one of whom, 15-year-old Hans, recently inked a rookie deal with the Broncos.

Haas has previously rejected $2 million-a-season offers from European rugby, evidence that money is not his sole consideration as he chases his final frontier: winning a premiership.

The veteran of 123 NRL games admits incessant contract speculation takes a toll at times and says he won’t be truly satisfied until he delivers Brisbane’s first title since 2006.

“I wouldn’t lie. I am sick of it (contract talk) but it is what it is,” he said.

“That’s part of the game we are in but this club and the boys are bigger than me.

“All this contract stuff I don’t care about at the moment. I am just here to deliver a premiership for Brisbane.

“That’s my main goal.”

Haas is relishing going toe-to-toe in the midfield on Saturday night with May, the raw-boned Tigers bookend who has been a revelation at his new club, averaging 187 metres per game.

Like Haas, ex-Roosters prop May is also in his prime at age 25, and the pair could well find themselves as teammates in the NSW Origin engine room.

“He’s been a handful the last four weeks,” Haas said of May.

“I am looking forward to the challenge. You want to verse the best and he has been the in-form prop. I am looking forward to that battle.”

Broncos coach Michael Maguire admits the club faces salary-cap challenges to keep Haas, with Brisbane also in talks to retain off-contract backline stars Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo.

“That is part of the environment, it’s how we manage that (the salary cap),” Maguire said.

“I want everyone and you want to keep all your players.

“The depth of your crew is very important.

“That’s a big part of your club, what’s going on in the background with the (salary) cap, but we’re living in the now because it’s a good opportunity these players have.”

Originally published as Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy issues ‘hands-off’ edict to other NRL clubs over Payne Haas