Contract leak proves Brisbane WILL pay Payne Haas $1million a year as Gould says he is not worth it

The details of the Brisbane Broncos’ six-year, multi-million pitch to star prop Payne Haas have been revealed.

The Courier Mail has reported that the battling Broncos have opened the war chest to retain the Queensland and Australian representative and are willing to make him the first prop in NRL history to earn $1million a season.

Leaked documents have reportedly revealed that Haas would be paid $1.05million plus a $25,000 car lease for each of the last three years of the six-year deal.

Haas has become hot property and the Brisbane Broncos have reportedly opened the war chest to make him the first NRL prop on $1million a season

The Broncos are facing pressure to retain their superstar prop with a number of clubs reported to be interested in Haas. 

However, the Bulldogs appear to be out of the race after general manager Phil Gould said the 22-year-old was not worth that sort of money. 

‘When you’re paying particularly a forward that sort of money, I don’t see how (Haas) wins you that percentage of games to justify the cost,’ Gould told Channel 9. 

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould is rebuilding the club and said he can’t justify paying $1million a season for a prop – even one as good as Haas 

Broncos coach Kevin Walters said the club was doing everything it could to retain Haas and was confident he would remain at Red Hill. 

‘Everyone knows Payne and his value here to the club,’ Walters 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.’

While Gould might not rate Haas as a million-dollar prop, Canterbury’s Tevita Pangai Jr, who is one of Haas’ closest friends, reckons he is worth every cent.

‘People don’t understand once he develops that pass, and that offload, he’ll be one of the greats, I reckon,’ Pangai Jr said.

‘In his first few years in the NRL, I think he has been that running-type forward.

‘But he’s been working on this a lot … once he adds that offload to his game, a pass and makes himself an all round player, I think he will be worth over a million dollars.

‘That’s the key for him, to keep developing his passing, his offload and he’ll be worth a lot more so I think he is worth a million dollars.’

While the Bulldogs appear to have exited the race for Haas, a number of former players and media identities believe the Sydney Roosters remain a real threat. 

Former NRL firebrand Willie Mason took it a step further, saying that Haas is worth up to $1.3million and that clubs should start sharpening their pencils to sign him. 

‘Shut up, who’s saying this s*** [that Hass is not worth $1million a season],’ he said on The Take with Willie and Iain podcast.

‘Just shut up. The kid’s got maybe 10 years at his peak, he’s 22 years old. If I’m going to sign anyone to a 10-year deal, I’m signing him. And a million dollars is not enough.

‘He should be on $1.3million now. Take all the cap, stuff it, I don’t care. He is a one-man wrecking machine.’

Mason believes the Roosters will come hard for Haas now that the Bulldogs appear to be out of the race. 

‘I think the Roosters will be out trying to get him because [Jared Waerea] Hargreaves is at the end of his career, [Sio Siua] Taukeiaho and all these boys are getting a little bit older, played a lot of games. Uncle Nick [Politis] will be reaching out. There’ll be a lot of Sydney clubs. And he deserves every cent,’ Mason said.

‘The challenge for the Broncos to keep Payne is real.’

In his time at the Broncos Haas has also become a representative player and has been one of New South Wales’ most influential forwards in recent State of Origin series

Former Broncos captain Corey Parker also believes Brisbane faces a real threat from the Roosters if Haas is chasing a premiership over payment. 

‘There’s not much more they [Brisbane] can do, really. The Broncos have offered him a six-year deal that is reflective of where he is at,’ Parker said.

‘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.’   

‘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.’

Haas’ talents were obvious from an early age and he was selected to represent his country when he was just a teenager

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns also believes Haas could end up at the Roosters if the price is right.

‘He plays massive minutes. I think there’s a club might need a front-rower, not far from here,’ Johns said on WWOS’ Freddy and the Eighth.

‘Maybe the Roosters. I reckon he will end up at the Roosters.’