Patrick Carrigan accepts early guilty plea for high shot, Payne Haas declared a certain starter for Broncos’ preliminary final

Haas’ revelation and the expected return of skipper Adam Reynolds (hamstring) will ease tensions at Red Hill after Broncos bosses on Tuesday accepted an early-plea for Pat Carrigan – ruling the Queensland Origin star out of the grand final qualifier against Penrith or Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire explored the prospect of fighting the charge in the hope of a downgrade, but he played it safe to ensure Carrigan will be available if Brisbane qualify for the October 5 premiership decider.

The loss of Carrigan would have been a total disaster if Haas was also ruled out, but Brisbane’s No.1 prop is adamant he will overcome calf and ankle injuries to spearhead the Broncos’ pack in the preliminary final.

Haas carried calf tightness into Brisbane’s epic 29-28 final defeat of the Raiders on Sunday. He then rolled his ankle just before half-time and couldn’t walk for several minutes, but he returned for the second half to inspire Brisbane’s stunning fightback.

As the Broncos come to terms with the loss of Billy Walters (knee) and Brendan Piakura (cheekbone), Haas vowed to play through the pain barrier to lead Brisbane to a second grand final in three seasons.

“I will be there,” Haas said when asked if he will be fit for the Suncorp spectacular.

“I don’t like talking about myself but it’s that part of the season. There are going to be niggles for everyone but I am fine, I am looking forward to our next game and I will play.

“I copped a hip drop with my first run (against the Raiders) and then I rolled my ankle.

“But I will look after myself. We have a week off, rest up, and I will make sure I am okay for the prelim.”

Haas and Carrigan are Brisbane’s one-two punch in the middle and without the Maroons ironman, the Broncos will be banking on their $1 million prop to lead the way in the grand final qualifier.

The five-time Paul Morgan Medallist has produced arguably the finest season of his career in 2025. Haas has amassed a staggering 3696 metres at an average of 168m per game, including 172m from 21 runs in Brisbane’s gutsy disposal of the Raiders.

Haas endured a lower back problem during the State of Origin series but the 25-year-old says nothing will stop him in his burning quest to conquer his final frontier – winning a maiden premiership ring.

“I haven’t achieved a premiership and that’s what I want,” he said.

“I am trying to stay present.

“We have a prelim final next week and it’s important we get the job done in that.”

Reynolds is on track to come back in the preliminary final while Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo are also pushing to return from hamstring injuries.

While Piakura looks destined to be ruled out, fellow backrower Jack Gosiewski is nearing a return from shoulder surgery and could be cleared for the prelim.

Haas was in a state of shock after Brisbane came from 28-12 down to stun the Raiders in a 94-minute extra-time classic.

“I haven’t been in a game like that before,” he said.

“It was chaos out there but we are ready for these kinds of moments.

“Now it’s about us being present and not getting carried away.

“We enjoyed the win but there’s still a lot more work to do.”

Broncos coach Maguire lauded Haas’ toughness and is relieved to have his best prop on deck for the preliminary final after losing Walters, Piakura and Carrigan to injury and suspension.

“Payne is good, he is a machine,” he said.

“We all love having him around us.

“He goes through what he does and he gets himself out on the field.

“He is a big part of what we are doing, we love having him out there and I know the players do.

“He just keeps battling on and getting himself right.”

Originally published as Patrick Carrigan accepts early guilty plea for high shot, Payne Haas declared a certain starter for Broncos’ preliminary final