Search

show me:

NRL finals destiny in our hands: Broncos

3 minute read

With three home games in a row on the horizon, prop Payne Haas believes eighth-placed Brisbane's NRL finals destiny is in their own hands.

PAYNE HAAS passes during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin training session at NSWRL Centre of Excellence Field in Sydney, Australia.
PAYNE HAAS passes during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin training session at NSWRL Centre of Excellence Field in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

So far Newcastle-bred Payne Haas' only NRL finals experience has involved looking at old footage of the Knights' last premiership win.

But the giant teenage prop is confident he can create some finals memories of his own in 2019 with Brisbane thanks to their upcoming string of three home games.

Haas was barely two years old when his beloved Newcastle won their last title back in 2001.

It hasn't stopped the former NSW forward savouring their glory days, quickly identifying with legendary Knights battering ram Paul "The Chief" Harragon.

"I am a Newcastle boy. I don't remember much but I remember watching old tapes of them and when they won it and there were some pretty crazy scenes," Haas said.

"And The Chief was one of the greatest props, his name speaks for itself."

Now Haas believes the stage is set for him to finally taste finals footy in his first full NRL season thanks to Brisbane's favourable run home.

Haas missed out on the Broncos' brief 2018 finals campaign, breaking down with a shoulder injury that cut his debut season short after just three games.

But he is backing himself to realise his finals dream thanks to eighth-placed Brisbane's schedule which features three straight games at Suncorp Stadium starting with Friday night's clash with top eight rivals Penrith.

They also host South Sydney and Parramatta before travelling to Sydney to take on Canterbury in their regular-season finale.

"If we put in the work we will get what we deserve," Haas said.

"It (finals) is something every kid wants to do playing footy. We are trying every week to get that finals spot."

Brisbane held onto eighth spot with a scrappy last round win over North Queensland where Haas was again a standout.

He ran for 216m with six tackle busts and one offload.

But he took most pride out of notching 28 tackles without a miss.

Overall, Brisbane missed just 10 tackles compared to North Queensland's 47.

It was a shot in the arm after suffering a 40-4 thrashing by Melbourne barely two weeks ago.

"Defence is always key. If you do that well you are always going to win games," Haas said.

"Against the Storm I missed four tackles. I had to work on that.

"Every week I am trying to learn and improve."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au