Shane Webcke crowns Payne Haas as Broncos’ GOAT prop amid $3.5m contract talks

Webcke has paid Haas the ultimate compliment ahead of Sunday’s NRL grand final against the Storm, claiming the 118kg man mountain is the most complete front-rower he has ever seen.

Webcke’s stunning critique comes as the Broncos move to scupper the R360 poaching threat, tabling a new contract for Haas as he prepares for his second grand final appearance at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Webcke won four premierships for the Broncos from 1997-2006 and is widely regarded as the club’s finest prop alongside Petero Civoniceva and Glenn Lazarus, who spearheaded Brisbane’s first title win in 1992.

But Webcke, a 254-game steamrolling machine, is adamant Haas is now in a league of his own - and will cement his greatness by winning a premiership ring on Sunday night.

Asked if Haas could dethrone him and Civoniceva as Brisbane’s greatest prop, Webcke said: “Of course he could - I think he is already there to be honest.

“He has a motor that God only handed out to one or two of them and he didn’t give one to me.

“He is an astounding footballer, astounding.

“I am in awe of him and what he does.

“You talk about Petero and myself and other blokes ... we didn’t play like Payne Haas.

“The game was different, yes, but we couldn’t do what he does.

“He is a freak. He really is.”

A five-time Paul Morgan Medallist as Brisbane’s player of the year, Haas has had another remarkable season, amassing 3878 metres at 168m per game and averaging 35 tackles per match heading into the grand final.

The NSW Origin hardman also has 125 tackle busts and 70 offloads, his best second-phase distribution in any season since his NRL debut in 2018.

Now the Broncos are moving to take him off the market.

Mindful of poaching attempts from rugby’s rebel league and other NRL rivals, the Broncos have tabled a multi-year deal to stop Haas, off-contract next year, going to free agency.

It is understood the Broncos want Haas for at least another three seasons on a deal worth an estimated $1.2 million annually - the richest offer in the club’s 37-year history for a forward.

Haas reportedly held preliminary talks with R360 chiefs last month, but his manager Ahmad Merhi told this masthead on Thursday he is in negotiations for the 25-year-old to become a Bronco for life.

“Honestly at this stage, we aren’t going down that road (R360). I don’t know exactly what is happening with R360,” Merhi said.

“Our main focus right now is doing a new deal with the Broncos.

“I hope Payne wins a premiership on Sunday night and after that we will look to sort his future out.

“Payne is a Bronco, I can’t ever see him playing for another club.”

Haas has great knowledge of Brisbane’s history and one of his idols was iconic front-rower Lazarus, the ‘Brick with Eyes’ who won five premiership with three clubs at Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Webcke lauded Haas’ respect for the Broncos pioneers who won six premierships for the club.

“Haas is the most respectful bloke,” he said.

“Talking to all of these players, they do respect this place and that is what I like even more because that’s how we tried to be.

“If that is being instilled and is still part of the club then that is really important and Payne is a great example.

“I have interviewed him a couple of times for Channel 7 and he genuinely loves rugby league.

“He is passionate about this club and he wants to win a premiership.

“Well he has got his chance on Sunday night.”

Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds is confident Haas won’t walk out on the club and paid tribute to his incredible fitness levels for one of the biggest men in the code.

“I think he will stay,” he said.

“He loves Brisbane. His family is in Brisbane.

“He has done some wonderful things for the club already but the way he talks he wants to win a premiership for this club and leave a legacy at the Broncos.

“He is right at the top of the pecking order in terms of the best props to play the game.

“He is still so young and he has so much room for improvement.

“His athleticism is unmatched amongst any forward I have ever played with. He is quite the player.”