Broncos marquee man Payne Haas is confident coach Michael Maguire has the tools to transform this young Brisbane squad into “men”, but revealed a once-maligned NRL star had added his voice to the club’s revival mission.
Todd Carney, who claimed the 2010 Dally M Medal with the Sydney Roosters, endured a tumultuous career in which – at his best – he became one of the NRL’s leading playmakers.
He ultimately proved his own worst enemy, exiled from the game following several alcohol-related incidents from his time with the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks.
Todd Carney (centre) addressed the Broncos playing group.Credit: Steve Christo
But Carney has turned over a new leaf, reportedly going sober and getting involved with coaching at schools on the Gold Coast, before taking on a junior pathways role with the Titans.
“Just thinking about your decisions before you even do it [was the main message]. It could really affect your career, especially if you’re not thinking about it.”
Payne Haas on Todd Carney’s speech
“It’s a privilege to be in the position we are, and little things can add up to big things. I followed Toddy’s career, I used to love him as a player, and to see the man he is now is pretty cool.”
Haas was confident Maguire’s influence was already beginning to rub off on the young Broncos playing group, believing he had the tools to help them “be men” and more upfront and honest about their direction as a team.
Payne Haas cuts a dejected figure as the Brisbane Broncos suffer an embarrassing defeat to the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
The 25-year-old already got a taste of what the Maguire regime would entail when the pair joined forces in State of Origin camp – the coach orchestrating the star prop’s finest series in a Blues jumper.
Haas returned to preseason training two weeks ahead of his scheduled comeback, and revealed the Lisfranc injury which kept him to just 14 games last season and required surgery was now behind him.
While he admitted it was difficult to see former coach Kevin Walters suffer the axe, having considered the club champion a key reason behind his re-signing until the end of 2026, he was adamant the side would relish the disciplinarian challenge thrown at them by Maguire.
“All the boys are buying in. It has been tough, but all the boys are getting around each other and helping each other improve every day,” Haas said.
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