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Broncos not a one-man NRL team: Palasia

3 minute read

Keenan Palasia has rated Brisbane's NRL win against South Sydney without Payne Haas as a telling one as they prepare to welcome the forward back to face Manly.

PAYNE HAAS.
PAYNE HAAS. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Loyal Brisbane servant Keenan Palasia believes the NRL side is finally showing it can cope without master prop Payne Haas.

Brisbane (5-4) will test that form against the Sea Eagles (5-4) as part of Suncorp Stadium's NRL Magic Round on Friday.

Palasia, 25, has overcome multiple knee, hand and ankle surgeries to finally fire as a bench spark this season as the Broncos eye a fourth straight win.

Haas (shoulder) and Kurt Capewell (neck) are both likely to return after missing last Thursday's significant win over South Sydney.

'I think it does; he's not the only player in our team," Palasia said when asked if the Rabbitohs triumph proved there wasn't a reliance on their three-time best and fairest.

"Having Payne there is a huge help - it's 20-something carries we have to split up between the middle - but we always trust whoever steps up there and Kev's made a huge point that we can rely on anyone.

Palasia said on Tuesday he had knocked back interest from other clubs, including a long-term offer to join Manly, in a show of faith to the Broncos.

"It was more because the Broncos stayed loyal to me through all these injuries," he said.

"It would have looked pretty bad and been a bad reflection on my character to turn my back on the club after they'd stayed on board with me and been loyal after all these years.

'I'm pretty proud of myself for showing a bit of resilience and I'm just grateful to Kev and the club for staying with me through those injuries.

"Now I can try and pay back the club as much as I can.

"And I don't care where I'm playing, as long as I'm playing and we're winning ... I'll peel oranges for Kev."

In-form winger Selwyn Cobbo was back at Red Hill on Tuesday after copping a six-month driving disqualification and $700 fine in a Nanango court for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle while on a suspended license.

Palasia said the incident wasn't indicative of a culture problem at the club and the punishment would serve its purpose without proving a distraction.

"He definitely would have learnt from that. He's not dumb," Palasia said.

"He knows what he's done, what he's got to do to fix it and he's apologised to the club and us players. As long as he doesn't do it again, that's good."

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