Corey Parker has urged the Broncos to offload Payne Haas as soon as possible after the prop asked to leave the club on Wednesday.
In a move that left the NRL stunned, Haas’ management requested their client be immediately released by the Broncos, which sit fifth on the NRL ladder after five consecutive wins.
Brisbane dismissed the request, noting the 22-year-old is under contract until the end of 2024 and insisting negotiations with his agent remained ongoing.
Payne Haas (right) has asked to be released by the Brisbane Broncos effective immediately
‘Payne Haas is contracted to the Brisbane Broncos until the end of the 2024 NRL season,’ the Broncos said in a short statement.
‘The club will not be entertaining a release. The club remains in ongoing discussions with Payne’s management about what the next phase looks like for him at the Broncos.
‘That includes ongoing dialogue about an extension to his current contract.’
Speaking on Fox League, Parker called for his former side to come down hard on Haas and grant him his wish by cutting him loose.
The giant prop has reportedly grown unhappy with his salary and wants more money
The 22-year-old is understood to make in the region of $750,000-a-year with Brisbane
Corey Parker (left) urged the Broncos to get rid of Haas as soon as possible
‘While he’s a terrific player, at no stage in the Broncos history has one player been bigger than the club,’ Parker, who holds the record for most career games with the Broncos, said.
‘I would let Payne Haas go right now, right now. I would let him go. […] This player doesn’t want to be there. […] If you don’t want to play for the Broncos, don’t play. It’s just ridiculous after what the club has done for him.’
Haas has previously been linked with a switch to the Sydney Roosters, but in April their chairman Nick Politis ruled out making a play for him because the team could not fit him under their salary cap.
The NSW State of Origin prop is currently on $750,000 with Brisbane this year but is looking for a new deal worth in the region of $1million-a-season this year and $1.2million next season.
Last August, Haas reportedly turned down the offer of a new six-year deal from the Broncos, which would have paid him $5.75million between 2022 and 2027.
Parker, however, noted meeting the prop’s financial demands would be very unlikely for Brisbane.
‘Never in the club’s history have they done that, signed a middle forward to a long-term deal on around $600,000,’ he added.
‘In that time, they have off their own bat, through good will upgraded his deal. Normally when a club upgrades they want an extension, they [the Broncos] didn’t do that, [they] just upgraded.’
The New South Wales star could command in the region of $1million on the market
Meanwhile, Broncos captain Adam Reynolds admitted news of Haas’ requesting to leave the club was a blow for a team riding high after five straight wins.
‘It’s not the news you want to hear for someone who is an important part of your team and fingers crossed that things get solved and that he’s at the Broncos for a very long time to come,’ he told Triple M.
‘Payne is a great player who probably signed for a lot less than what he’s worth.’
For his part, Haas insisted he remained committed to the Broncos on the field and that he would play against the Titans on Friday night.
Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds spoke with Haas, who told him he will play on Friday night
‘All that matters is we got a game tomorrow night and all my focus is on that,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘All I can control is giving my all tomorrow night for my teammates and you guys. Much love everyone always
While undisputedly a great asset on the field, Haas has been source of several headaches for the Broncos off it, falling foul of the NRL Integrity Unit on two occasions.
The most recent came when he suspended for one match earlier this season after a public scuffle with Brisbane teammate Albert Kelly, which was filmed by a member of the public.