Why Payne Haas dropped contract bombshell on Broncos as NRL star’s insane workout habit is revealed

The manager of Brisbane prop Payne Haas says he will hit the open market on November 1 to ‘find out the truth’ about what he is worth, but his decision on his playing future will not be motivated by money.

The 23-year-old, off contract at the end of 2024, has often spoken of his desire to emulate five-time premiership-winning prop Glenn Lazarus.

Last year at the Broncos a release was sought by his management because NSW prop Haas ‘could not see a competitive future at the club.’

‘Payne wants to be in a competitive team and he wants to be competitive week-in and week-out,’ Haas’ manager Ahmad Merhi told AAP.

‘Right now we are definitely going until November 1. Payne’s concerns (last year) were about playing in a team that is performing and achieving the best for his career on the playing field.

The manager of Brisbane prop Payne Haas has confirmed his star client will hit the NRL open market on November 1 to ‘find out the truth’ about what he is worth

The bombshell news will leave Broncos coach Kevin Walters (pictured) and fans on edge 

‘Brisbane is ticking all the boxes with what they are doing competitively and what they are doing as a group.

‘You can understand where his frustrations were last year. This is the first year in five seasons in the NRL that he will be playing semi-final football.

‘This is a guy that wakes up in the morning and hits the weights before a game at 7am. That is how competitive he is.’

Merhi explained why Haas would hit the open market and not just negotiate a contract extension now.

His Sportsplayer Management group has a mailout that is sent to clubs advising of players coming off contract on November 1. Haas is one of seven this year.

‘All 16 of the other NRL clubs have advised that they want to have a negotiation with Payne from November 1 so we can see the opportunities out there. Then he weighs up the pros and cons and makes a decision on what he wants to do,’ Merhi said.

‘We are just under four months from November 1. Why wouldn’t you wait until then to find out what the truth is about what a club would value Payne at?

‘What do they want to do with Payne? What are their goals?

‘There was commentary that said we want $1 million [per season]. We have never said that. Payne is worth what a club is willing to pay him. It is just a commercial decision to wait until November 1.’

Haas is so dedicated to his craft that he even gets in a weights workout on game day

Haas made his NRL debut in 2018 and is now widely regarded as the best prop in the game

While all NRL clubs want to speak to Haas, the same cannot be said for Rugby Australia.

‘I have never been approached by the Australian Rugby Union,’ Merhi said.

‘I have never had a phone call. I have never had a discussion. I know no-one from Australian Rugby Union.’

The Broncos’ trump card to keep Haas may well be coach Kevin Walters.

Haas has said on several occasions that he enjoys playing under Walters and Merhi said Walters was a pleasure to deal with.

‘Out of everyone I have met in the rugby league world Kevvie is my favourite. I love Kevvie. He is genuine and he has no agendas,’ he said.

NSW prop Haas has won four consecutive Paul Morgan Medals as the Broncos best player of the season and is on track to do so again.

‘Payne would love to break records at the club,’ Merhi said.

‘Many great players have gone through their careers and never won a premiership.

‘Last year Payne didn’t see the Broncos winning a grand final or playing semi-finals, but things have changed dramatically.’