The Broncos have ramped up their bid to lock in star prop Payne Haas with a $1 million a season contract extension.
Meanwhile, the Tigers and Bulldogs will have to look elsewhere for a halfback target after former Raiders star George Williams chose to extend with Warrington.
Read on for the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
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BRONCOS RAMP UP $1M A SEASON HAAS EXTENSION TALKS
The Broncos have ramped up their bid to lock in star prop Payne Haas with a contract extension that will make him the first forward in Brisbane’s history to earn $1 million a year.
The Courier Mail reported the Broncos have commenced extension talks with Haas and his management and are keen to keep the Origin prop at Red Hill until 2026 and beyond.
The Broncos have been undergoing a $4 million retention drive including Patrick Carrigan, Jesse Arthars, Deine Mariner and coach Kevin Walters, with Haas the next cab off the rank.
The 23-year-old is currently contracted until the end of 2024 and is free to negotiate with rivals as of November 1.
However, the Broncos are hoping to lock Haas, who is currently on $848,000 this season, to an extension worth in excess of $1 million a year.
Brisbane board member Darren Lockyer confirmed the Broncos are keen to secure Haas on a long-term extension.
“There is no doubt about that,” Lockyer told The Courier Mail.
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“He has already won (three) Paul Morgan Medals.
“He is the best prop in the game and he has done really well in keeping (at bay) his off-field distractions and just focusing on his footy.
“There is no denying how good he is for us and what he has done.
“He has always said he wants to win premierships.
“The Broncos playing well and winning on a weekly basis I think would add a bit of value to what Payne wants to do.”
Haas has scored eight tries in 88 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2018 and has played nine Origins for NSW and two Tests for the Kangaroos to date.
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Griffin under fire at the Dragons | 02:51
FORMER RAIDERS STAR SHUNS TIGERS AND BULLDOGS
Former Raiders halfback George Williams has shunned the Tigers and the Bulldogs to sign a contract extension with Warrington Wolves in the Super League.
Williams was a key target of the Tigers and Bulldogs to solve their playmaker issues, but they will now have to look elsewhere after he committed to the Wolves until 2026 at least.
“Warrington Wolves is delighted to announce that George Williams and Paul Vaughan have signed contract extensions with the club,” the club said in a statement.
“Williams has signed a new long-term deal until November 2026 which will take his time at the club to five-and-a-half years.
“The halfback has made 39 appearances so far, scoring 14 tries. He currently leads the competition for try assists and carries and is the joint leader along with Vaughan for metres made on 1,566.
“He is also top of the Man of Steel leaderboard after the opening eight rounds.
“Australia prop Vaughan has made a huge impact since arriving at the club and has extended his stay with the Wolves until at least November 2025.
“The front-rower is a metre machine having made 1,566 thus far – 722 of which are post-contact. He has also crossed for three tries in the opening rounds.
“He has quickly become a fans favourite winning back-to-back Player of the Month club awards for February and March.
“Both were highly sought after by numerous NRL clubs and their extensions are a big scoop for not only the club but Super League.”
“I’m really happy to nail my future down. We’ve got a great group here and I’m excited for what’s to come,” Williams said.
“How we’ve started the year has been unbelievable and there’s a lot more behind that – the environment and culture we’ve all created. It’s enjoyable to come to work everyday, everyone’s got a smile on their face and I’m happy that I’m staying.
“As a halfback you’re probably hitting your prime years at my age or maybe even a bit older when your experience and understanding of the game is better. Hopefully my best years are ahead of me, we can keep winning and doing my bit for the team.”
Vaughan was happy to repay the faith the Wolves placed in him after giving him a lifeline following his exit from the Bulldogs.
“It’s a really good feeling. It was a big move for my family coming over but we’re really happy and settled and it’s exciting to be able to extend my stay,” Vaughan said.
“The club’s been really good to us and made that transition pretty easy. We’re loving it and it’s really exciting.
“I’ve said to a few people that I probably haven’t enjoyed my footy as much as I have for a very long time. I’ve got a smile on my face, the boys are playing well and it’s nice to be rolling off the back of that.
“I feel like we’re building something special and to be part of that for a little bit longer is also very exciting.”
