Payne Haas’ three-year extension with the Broncos worth $3.5 million will keep him at Red Hill until the end of 2027, but will Brisbane be able to retain their other stars?
Despite talk of Haas waiting for the November 1 deadline before signing to hear offers from rival NRL clubs, as well as interest from rugby union, the Broncos prop elected to stay put in Brisbane.
“I’m just glad just for their season and how hard they (Broncos) have worked,” club great Gorden Tallis said on NRL 360.
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“Payne Haas has been huge, especially in the dark days when they were wooden spooners.
“There was no doubt he was the best first, second, third player on the field, just his engine, just the efforts he would do. There were worries he was going to get burnout that’s how hard he was trying.”
While the signing of Haas increases the Broncos’ premiership window until 2027, there are concerns on whether they can keep their team intact in a couple of years time when other stars go on the market.
Fullback Reece Walsh and winger Selwyn Cobbo are just a couple that go off contract at the end of 2025, with Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell two players who have current contracts that end in 2024.
The NRL 360 panel pinpointed Walsh and how he is likely to command double than what he’s on now.
“If the front-rowers are receiving $1.2 million a year, what’s his (Walsh) value at and can they afford him now?” Braith Anasta asked.
“It’s going to be an absolute juggling act on how this stunning Broncos side stays together because at the end of 2024 Adam Reynolds is off contract. Reece Walsh comes off contract in two years,” Riccio responded.
“Everybody knows in the game that you don’t wait until 2025 to start negotiating with Reece Walsh, you got to do it now.
“Also off contract at the end of next season is Kurt Capewell, a pretty significant leader at that club. Billy Walters, coming of age now. Ezra Mam is also coming off contract
“Then you go to 2025 and you got Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs. So on the back of Payne Haas, sensational news, but the work now really begins to keep it together.”
“Reece Walsh is currently on $400,000-$500,000 now if he goes to market, he’s proven he is just about a $1 million player if not more. And Ezra Mam who’s on around the $300,000 figure, again open market, you are looking at $700,000-$800,000,” Paul Crawley added.
Riccio commended the Broncos, partly crediting the belief and respect Haas has for coach Kevin Walters as why the deal got done, but was a little surprised at the length of the extension, raising the point that the superstar prop may be leaving the door opened for a foray into rugby.
“We spoke about it last week about how long a contract saga has revolved around Payne Haas’ career. At least in the last three to four seasons, there have always been discussion points about whether he was going to wait for November 1, get a release etc,” Riccio said.
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“Talks escalated over the last 48 hours to the point where the Broncos said look listen, if we put this deal to you, will you take it and it was quite as simple as that.
“It will be interesting, there is a little subplot here in relation to the timing and extension. It’s only three years. To me it’s only a two-year extension with 12 months still to run on next year.
“I’m thinking also on what we’ve been speaking about in the last couple of days and it’s rugby union. Is there not a 2027 (Rugby) World Cup?
“Why has he extended for only a short amount of period? Does he take himself to another shop window with another Rugby World Cup coming?”
Braith Anasts believes it’s the “smart thing to do” especially if Haas is looking towards a potential code switch at some point.
“Some players have ambitions to play union and play in a World Cup… Why not keep that door open?” Anasta said.
“If you are his agent or Haas himself, and he does have a desire at some point that’s good timing right because he comes off market.”
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