By Dan Walsh
Payne Haas’ management will meet with Brisbane hierarchy this week and says “the right deal” can still secure the game’s best prop and keep him from hitting the open market on November 1.
Haas’s manager Ahmad Merhi released a statement on Monday night in response to coach Kevin Walters’ recent prediction that the 23-year-old would be re-signed before Brisbane’s finals campaign kicks off.
The Broncos have long planned to make Haas the richest forward in the club’s history and take his salary past the $1 million mark, with News Corp reporting a fresh upgraded contract worth around $3.5 million being tabled following Walters’ comments at the weekend.
Merhi told this masthead any updated offer is yet to be put to him or his client and declined to comment on specifics of negotiations.
Haas also fronted the media ahead of his 100th NRL appearance against the Eels on Friday night, but gave little away on his future beyond retired cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams offering advice and family being his priority with his next contract.
Merhi said negotiations would continue with Broncos powerbrokers leading up to Haas’ milestone match and that Brisbane were “in the box seat” to keep the NRL’s most in-demand man.
Payne Haas’ contract talks continue to roll on.Credit: James Brickwood
“I don’t want to create controversy at this time of year,” Merhi said on Tuesday.
“We’ve never closed the door on Brisbane, we’re in dialogue with them and anything is possible.
“We’ve always been hopeful of a good outcome with the Broncos.
“In relation to November 1 and if we’ll go to [market] on November 1, if things don’t work out with Brisbane that’s when we’ll go. But the only team we’re able to negotiate with right now is Brisbane, so they’re in the box seat.
“It’s pretty simple, if they come up with the right deal for Payne, we’ll have the deal done before November 1.
“I can tell you right now there’s no contract put on the table yet and dialogue means we’re still negotiating. That door is still very much open and they’re the only club we can negotiate with at the moment.”
Haas’ current contract will earn him $848,000 for 2024, but an upgrade to reflect a market value beyond seven figures will feature in any talks with Brisbane.
The 23-year-old has fielded widespread interest from across the code, with Melbourne the latest potential suitor in a list that has already floated Canterbury, Wests Tigers and the Dragons.
Brisbane’s rise into premiership contention on the back of young talents Haas, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam among others has rivals on notice, particularly with Walsh (estimated $500,000 salary) and Mam ($250,000) playing well above their current pay packets.
Haas is set to pass $1 million a season with his next contract.Credit: Getty
While Haas could name his price on the open market, one of the biggest motivations in any decision will be playing for a winning club. Haas has previously sought performance clauses that would allow him to leave Brisbane if the team didn’t hit certain targets, which the club rejected.
Williams and Haas have struck up a friendship in recent years as the ex-All Black and NRL title-winner offers regularly checks in with him.
“Sonny is real good. He always reaches out to me. Obviously I’m going through some stuff and he has always made sure I am all good and give me some advice,” Haas said.
“He is pretty special to me, Sonny. We are pretty close. He is good to have around me.”
Haas acknowledged Brisbane’s rise to premiership contention and said he “owed” the club for standing by him during off-field dramas.
Asked if his preference is to stay at Red Hill, Haas said: “We’re still in dialogue with the Broncs and we’ll sort it out.
“I’ve got a good relationship with Kev and we both know we’re at. We understand each other [and] what we want.
“I’m really appreciative of what they’ve done for me.”
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