Brisbane Broncos prodigy Payne Haas believes he owes the club a premiership after a tumultuous off-season that threatened his burgeoning NRL career.
The 20-year-old was whacked with a $20,000 fine and suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season by the Broncos after failing to assist NRL Integrity Unit investigators in two separate probes.
He was then fined a further $10,000 in April after pleading guilty to two driving offences - unlicensed driving and using a mobile phone while driving.
Haas, who signed a six-year, $3 million contract extension with the Broncos last July, was not hit with a further ban over his court appearance.
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In his first media interview this season the 119 kg wrecking ball vowed to stay out of trouble and told The Courier Mail he feels indebted to the Broncos after management opted not to sack him.
“I’ve had enough trouble … I’m determined to never stuff up again,” Haas told News Limited.
“… During my time on the sidelines, all I kept thinking about was making amends for what I’ve done and the best way I can repay the Broncos is by playing the way I know I can.
“…I know some people don’t like to talk premierships but I owe that to the Broncos.”
The front-rower added he didn’t handle his interview with Integrity Unit investigators the right way but refused to blame his age for his behaviour, saying that would be a ‘cop out’.
Haas made an immediate impact, running for a team-high 167 metres in 64 minutes, after coach Anthony Seibold rushed him straight into the Broncos squad against Wests Tigers in Round 5.
He has been named at starting prop for Sunday’s crucial clash against the high-flying Raiders in Canberra, with the Broncos desperate for their second win of the season.
