Payne Haas, up close

Payne Haas confirmed he would move to Souths at season’s end, Reynolds is calling time and Ben Te’o dropped a bombshell by handing in his resignation last month. Payne Haas has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Australia.

Key facts

• Payne Haas confirmed he would move to Souths at season’s end, Reynolds is calling time and Ben Te’o dropped a bombshell by handing in his resignation last month.
• They're great mates but Corey is not convinced of Hunt at the Broncos.
• The Brisbane Broncos should be reluctant to hand Ben Hunt a one-year extension, according to Corey Parker who made the bold claim despite the pair’s great friendship.
• It seems the Broncos may have started negotiations with the 360-gamer, but is that in the best interests of the club which has copped a decent number of blows already this year?
• Despite the double departure, the arrival of Jonah Pezet for 2027 leaves little space in a tight salary cap.

What we know

Going deeper, They're great mates but Corey is not convinced of Hunt at the Broncos.

On the substance, the Brisbane Broncos should be reluctant to hand Ben Hunt a one-year extension, according to Corey Parker who made the bold claim despite the pair’s great friendship.

Beyond the headlines, it seems the Broncos may have started negotiations with the 360-gamer, but is that in the best interests of the club which has copped a decent number of blows already this year?

More precisely, despite the double departure, the arrival of Jonah Pezet for 2027 leaves little space in a tight salary cap.

“I would be reluctant to sign Ben Hunt; he will be 38 years of age and would be the oldest running around in the NRL.

By the numbers

“He would be making $500k minimum; Walters, Pezet, Duffy and the younger brigade can have their money beefed up to hold them at the club.

On a related note, Souths have reportedly offer Hunt a 12-month deal while PNG Chiefs also approached him, Reynolds and Ezra Mam.

“It pains me because I love Benny Hunt; from a business point of view, at 38, he’s been on the sidelines now for eight weeks.

What they're saying

“I’m a great mate of Benny Hunt’s,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast. “But I don’t know that there’s a need to re-sign him – there’s enough people in that organisation to nurture and bring young guys through.

“You have to put yourself as a business first; think if I’m paying him X, am I getting Y back?”

“The game is not gonna slow down and Ben’s speed is behind him.”

The wider context

On a related note, Days after Hunt confirmed his intent to seek an extension to his contract amid rumours he would follow teammate Adam Reynolds into retirement, Parker said it would not make good business sense for Brisbane to keep him on their books.

Going deeper, You don’t need a lot to say ‘we see a future with you, you can use some of Hunt’s money’.

On the substance, while Parker has questioned the Broncos’ intent regarding Hunt it seems the veteran would not be short of suitors.

Beyond the headlines, I’m reluctant to throw a contact at him if there’s an option to bring through young guys.

“There’s a rumour going around that Bennet has asked for Hunt and his services at Souths for a year.

The bottom line

• The Brisbane Broncos should be reluctant to hand Ben Hunt a one-year extension, according to Corey Parker who made the bold claim despite the pair’s great friendship.
• It seems the Broncos may have started negotiations with the 360-gamer, but is that in the best interests of the club which has copped a decent number of blows already this year?
• Despite the double departure, the arrival of Jonah Pezet for 2027 leaves little space in a tight salary cap.