NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos plan to make Payne Haas highest paid prop in history
The Broncos are planning to make Payne Haas the highest paid prop in NRL history, but a Sydney club is ready to pounce on the reportedly unhappy enforcer.
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These are the figures that prove the Broncos have offered to make Payne Haas the highest-paid prop in NRL history.
As Haas prepares for Saturday’s clash with the Warriors at Redcliffe, News Corp can reveal details of the prop’s proposed six-year Brisbane contract, which shows the NSW Origin enforcer has been offered up to $1.05 million a season.
The revelation emphatically quashes speculation that the three-time Paul Morgan Medallist is underpaid at the Broncos.
Sydney media reports have alleged Haas, off-contract at the end of 2024, is unsettled at the Broncos and threatening to quit the club immediately if he is not paid $1 million a season.
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Rumours sweeping league circles suggest the Roosters are desperate to poach Haas as they prepare for life after Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, and are ready to pounce if Brisbane’s best player does not see a long-term future at Red Hill.
But contrary to reports, a News Corp investigation into Haas’ contractual affairs shows Brisbane’s latest offer stands to make him the first $1 million forward in the Broncos’ 34-year history.
The Broncos have had a galaxy of champion forwards throughout their decorated history, headlined by Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva, Glenn Lazarus, Gorden Tallis, Sam Thaiday, Andrew Gee, Brad Thorn, Corey Parker and Tonie Carroll.
But none were ever paid close to $1 million annually. Anthony Milford remains the only player since Brisbane’s premiership entry in 1988 to receive a seven-figure sum.
But if Haas was to sign on the dotted line, he would not only be Brisbane’s financial top dog, but the highest-paid middle-forward in the NRL today, eclipsing the likes of Jason Taumalolo ($1m), Andrew Fifita ($850,000), Addin Fonua-Blake ($850,000) and David Klemmer ($800,000).
News Corp has obtained details of Haas’ proposed new Broncos deal.
Last August, it is understood Brisbane’s board gave formal approval for Haas to be offered a six-year contract to secure him to the Broncos until the end of 2027.
This season, Haas is on $750,000. Next year, the Blues bookend stands to pocket $850,000 and $950,000 in 2024. Should he ink the extension, Haas would enter the NRL’s elite $1 million club, earning $1.05 million for seasons 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Haas also has a club-approved sponsored car worth $25,000 annually.
In total, his Broncos package is valued at $5.85 million.
The figures underline how seriously the Broncos value Haas at a time when the prop is locked in a legal dispute with his former manager, Chris Orr of PSM, which has been a factor in negotiations stalling.
Orr is the same agent who brokered a $3.4 million Broncos extension for Haas in July 2018, when the rookie prop, then aged 18, had played just three NRL games.
Last July, Orr proposed a fresh extension: a 10-year deal for Haas to Brisbane hierarchy.
The parties eventually agreed to a six-year term and sent it to the Broncos board for their imprimatur.
Six months later, the $5.85m deal is gathering dust, with Haas baulking at signing a contract organised by his previous agent Orr.
Haas has recently joined the management stable of former NRL player Tyran Smith, the father of Storm centre Reimis, who has been gauging the prop’s value in the marketplace.
Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has told Haas he is not worth $1 million, but Brisbane’s package is evidence that if the 22-year-old wishes to remain at the Broncos, he would not be short-changed.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters scoffed at suggestions the club is not paying Haas market rate.
“Everyone knows Payne and his value here to the club,” he said.
“We are really happy to have him here and we have him here for the next three years and I want to make sure Payne is happy playing here at the Broncos.
“I have never been concerned about the money and it won’t be an issue with money going forward.
“Payne’s value is what clubs want to pay for him. I’m very confident he will stay. He loves it here and I’m sure we can come to an agreement to keep him here.”
The elephant in the room is the Roosters. There is a view Haas is refusing to sign with the Broncos because of his relationship with his mentor Sonny Bill Williams, the Roosters legend who helped with the Brisbane prop’s conversion to Islam in 2019.
Haas insists there is no pressure from Sonny Bill to sign with the Roosters club with whom the Kiwi superstar won a premiership in 2013.
But the Roosters rarely miss out on their intended targets. And with veteran enforcer Waerea-Hargreaves off-contract at the end of 2023, the Bondi glamour club has identified Haas as a candidate to spearhead their engine room in the post-JWH era.
Former Broncos captain Corey Parker, who worked with Haas in an assistant’s capacity under ex-coach Anthony Seibold in 2019-20, says the prop is not merely chasing dollars, but premiership success.
“The challenge for the Broncos to keep Payne is real,” Parker said.
“There’s not much more they can do really. The Broncos have offered him a six-year deal that is reflective of where he is at. Payne could get 15 offers from other clubs, so then it’s not all about money anymore, it’s about opportunity and achievement.
“There is no way Haas is underpaid, and the deal he is being offered is a great deal, so if he leaves Brisbane, it won’t be because of the money.
“Payne is worth what someone is willing to pay him. I don’t think middle forwards should be paid $1 million because they don’t own the result, the playmakers do that. But if Payne can get $1 million from the Broncos or another club, good luck to him.
“When you first start in the game, your currency as a kid turns to how much you can get paid. Then you have ambitions to play rep footy, Origin, Australia.
“The ultimate currency for a player is to win a premiership. So if Payne is getting well paid at the Broncos, which he is, then his burning ambition is simply one thing - can I win a premiership at this club?
“That’s the reality for the Broncos.”
‘WE’D LOVE TO KEEP HIM’: TWO-WAY BATTLE OVER LOAN STAR
—Peter Badel and Travis Meyn
The Broncos were gracious enough to loan Jesse Arthars to the Warriors.
But if the Warriors get their wish, the classy utility back won’t be going back to Red Hill.
Just seven months ago, Arthars and Herbie Farnworth were Brisbane’s starting centres, but the pair will now go head-to-head in a backline duel in Saturday’s clash between the Broncos and Warriors at Redcliffe.
Arthars’ contractual situation is among the more complex arrangements in the NRL.
The 23-year-old is contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2023, but with the Warriors, based at Redcliffe this season due to Covid, struggling for depth, the Kiwi outfit made inquiries about a short-term loan for Arthars to bolster their backline stocks.
Brisbane complied. Under NRL registration rules, a player cannot hold two contracts, so the Broncos rescinded Arthars’ deal for 2022, allowed the Warriors to sign him for this year, then Brisbane signed Arthars to a fresh contract for 2023.
But such has been Arthars’ impact since arriving at the Warriors, they would happily keep the Auckland-born flyer on their books when they return to New Zealand full-time in 2023.
“We would love to keep Jesse here next year,” Warriors head-of-football Craig Hodges said.
“The Broncos acted in good faith by releasing him and we wouldn’t do the wrong thing by Brisbane if they wanted Jesse back next season.
“Jesse is technically a Broncos player and they did the right thing by loaning him to us, but if they decided their outside-back stocks are full, we would love to talk to Jesse about staying on with us.
“The Broncos had to do a full release and we signed him for season 2022, then they re-signed him for season 2023. Technically, you can’t loan a player for 12 months, so we had to cancel his Broncos deal and work out a new contract.
“It’s only a 12-month arrangement at the moment, but Jesse was a great pick up for us.
“It was one of those rare deals in footy where everybody wins.”
Arthars has chalked up 31 NRL appearances since his debut for the Gold Coast Titans in 2019.
There has never been a question about his natural talent - he was highly-rated at the Storm before his shift to the Titans - and Hodges liked what he saw during Arthars’ 17-game contribution to the Broncos over the past two seasons.
Tall, tough and skilful, Arthars plays his third match for the Warriors against the Broncos hellbent on outpointing the in-form Farnworth.
“Farnworth is in good form the Broncos so it’s always good fun when you play against your mates and you have a good one-on-one match up,” Hodges said.
“Jesse will be looking for some bragging rights.
“We have been really happy with his contribution. He has been outstanding from the moment he arrived at the club. He has bought into everything we do culturally and footy wise and he has handed himself over completely to the group. It’s been a great life experience for him.
“Jesse is very solid in most areas of the game. He is a solid carrier of the ball and he has good fitness, so he keeps himself in the game. Although I think he is solid in all areas, I still feel he has great improvement left in him. He just needs to believe in himself a bit more. It’s not an ability or work ethic issue for Jesse, it’s a belief thing.
“If he learns to back himself, the sky is the limit for him, Jesse can be a very good NRL centre.”
Broncos’ plan to exploit Walsh exit clause
—Peter Badel and Travis Meyn
The Broncos have appealed for Reece Walsh to return home amid revelations a secret clause in his Warriors contract could deliver the Queensland young gun back to Red Hill.
News Corp can reveal a key get-out clause in Walsh’s deal as the Warriors whiz-kid prepares to face the Broncos club he never thought he would leave in Saturday’s clash at Redcliffe.
The three-year contract Walsh signed with the Warriors last year includes a welfare clause that allows the Maroons Origin prospect to quit the club.
If Walsh, 19, activates the clause he could walk out on the Warriors at the end of the 2023 season, but that could be fast-tracked following a recent decision by the club.
The Warriors last week agreed to release Euan Aitken from his contract due to a reluctance to move to Auckland when the club returns home next season.
Warriors football chief Craig Hodges admitted they had a fight on their hands to retain Walsh but he was confident of keeping the boom fullback.
“The challenge for us will be keeping Reece,” he said.
“He hasn’t lived in New Zealand, so that will be a big move for him, but what I do know is that he is extremely happy at the Warriors and he feels like his game is developing here.
“We plan to keep him. I understand home is here (Queensland) for him, so whether the Broncos or Dolphins are a chance to get him in two or three years’ time, I can’t worry too much about that. But any suggestion he is unhappy here is not true.
“I’m confident Reece will stay. For some at guys at our club who haven’t lived in New Zealand, there is a bit of unknown about going back there, but I don’t believe it will be an issue for Reece. He has Kiwi heritage so it’s not the big deal people are making out.
“We will finally get to play in front of our fans and supporters and Reece will enjoy it. There has been some disconnection, but moving back home will bring everything back together.
“Young people these days are bulletproof. They handle change so much easier than older people who are stuck in their ways.
“In reality, Auckland is no further away than Townsville, so Reece can jump on a plane and be back in Brisbane in a few hours to see his family.”
The fact Walsh will suit up against the Broncos on Saturday is remarkable to begin with.
A product of league nursery Keebra Park on the Gold Coast, Walsh spent years in Brisbane’s development system and was a schoolboys sensation tipped for NRL stardom.
But the Broncos’ lethargy and lack of direction last year following the 2020 wooden spoon allowed the Warriors to snatch Walsh from under their guard.
Sources close to Walsh told News Corp the young gun was feeling unloved at Red Hill as former Warriors football chief Phil “Gus” Gould circled.
Based on the Central Coast at the time due to Covid, the Warriors flew Walsh and his management down and sold the club’s vision under coach Nathan Brown.
Walsh felt wanted and saw a future with the Warriors, prompting him to sign a three-year contract which would see him mentored by Dally M star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in his first season.
The Broncos granted Walsh an immediate release to join the Warriors and just months later he was picked to make his State of Origin debut for Queensland.
A hamstring injury on match eve ruined Walsh’s Origin fairytale, but his impressive rookie season was hard to stomach for the Broncos.
Now, they want him back.
“Reecey and I used to live together. He is my little mate,” said Broncos lock Pat Carrigan.
“He is a classy little player. You always knew he was going to be a freak in the game.
“I’m excited to play him this week. It will feel like an old training run at Red Hill, but he is a massive part of what they are building at the Warriors.
“He might ask for overs to come back, he is a classy talent and when he comes off-contract, I’m sure there will be 16 NRL clubs chasing him.
“I’m excited for what he is building for his young family at the Warriors, but I would love to play with Reece again one day.
“It was tough to see him leave, I knew how much he cared for the club, but in terms of the growth he has had as a footy player and learning off Roger, you can’t knock someone too much for taking those opportunities.
“I stayed at the Broncos because guys like Sammy (Thaiday) and Cozza (Corey Parker) were here to learn from and it was a drawcard for him to learn off Roger and play first grade.
“I’m glad I get to play him this week and hopefully we get to link up again one day.”
Walsh will endure constant speculation about his future until he makes a solid commitment to the Warriors.
Last year, the teenager said he wasn’t fazed about living in New Zealand and the Warriors had made him feel at home.
“I feel pretty comfortable, I am not too fazed about where I live,” he said at the time.
“The boys at the Warriors have been great support and the club has been excellent. The transition won’t be too hard at all.
“I was a bit scared at first to move. Being away from family was a bit daunting, but I know they will always be there and if I need anything they will be right there.
“But that’s a part of growing up, you have to take the best opportunity for you and I feel that’s what I’ve done.
“As a kid I really wanted to put that Broncos jersey on. I remember when I was seven years old, I would run around with a Broncos jersey on wishing I could play for the Broncos.
“That’s something I always wanted to do and I thought I would do that, but an opportunity came up for me to go somewhere else and play NRL now against the best.
“It’s nothing against the Broncos for me. They have played a major part in who I am as a player and person, so there’s no bad feelings.
“The opportunity to play first grade was the big thing. I had a talk with Browny and he laid it out, he said he wants me as his fullback. He said Roger is leaving and they won’t go out and look for anyone else if I commit to the club, so I took the chance.”
Originally published as NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos plan to make Payne Haas highest paid prop in history
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