NRL 2021: Broncos star Payne Haas to undergo surgery
The Broncos have made a surprise roster move releasing Ethan Bullemor and looking to replace him with a former Gold Coast stalwart.
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The Broncos have released emerging forward Ethan Bullemor to Manly while prop Payne Haas will be sidelined for two months following ankle surgery.
Bullemor, 21, has been released from the final year of his contract to take up a multi-year deal with the Sea Eagles.
A forward with leg speed, Bullemor showed promising signs in 17 NRL appearances for Brisbane this year, taking his tally of games for the club to 25 since debuting in 2020.
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However he will continue his career at Brookvale after being offered a more secure deal by Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.
The Broncos rated Bullemor highly but agreed to release him from his 2022 contract.
“Ethan has been in the Broncos’ system for a long time,” football chief Ben Ikin said.
“He is a great young footballer with a bright future, but decided there was an opportunity for him elsewhere.
“After a lengthy conversation, the club decided to let him look elsewhere.”
The Broncos are still on the hunt for an experienced middle forward and have been in discussions with Canberra’s Ryan James over a move to Red Hill in 2022.
James could provide some experience to a young forward pack that has been carried by Haas over the past few years.
Haas, favourite to be crowned the club’s player of the year for a third straight season, suffered a high grade ankle syndesmosis injury in Brisbane’s final round win against Newcastle.
He will undergo surgery in the coming days and is expected to be sidelined for two months.
Fortunately, Haas’ recovery will be mostly during the off-season and he is expected to be back in pre-season training before Christmas.
“Payne will make a full recovery and be available for pre-season,” Ikin said.
“He will get two months to recover and hopefully won’t miss much training.”
Hooker Jake Turpin suffered a broken jaw in the Knights game and will also undergo surgery this week.
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