Haas ‘emotional’ as Broncos send out superstar a winner
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Ben Hunt wound back the clock as the Broncos farewelled a host of players, including champion front-rower Payne Haas, with a 34-20 win over the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Thursday night.
Determined to beat the incoming Jonah Pezet for the No.7 jersey next season, Hunt did his chances no harm as he set up two tries, scored one of his own and steered Brisbane around the park with a superb kicking game.
Payne Haas takes a carry in his Broncos farewell. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
When he received the ball in the 48th minute, jinked off his right to bamboozle Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau, accelerated, and bumped off Connor Tracey to score, Andrew Johns was left marvelling at a play Hunt had made “hundreds of times”.
For good measure, the crafty veteran booted the ball into the crowd.
Importantly, the Broncos’ win ensured Haas rounded out his storied time at Red Hill on a winning note before his move to the Rabbitohs – a fitting reward for a tireless prop who won six player of the year awards (he could yet make it seven) and a premiership.
“It’s been a pretty emotional last few weeks,” Haas said on Nine at full-time.
“This club means the world. This is all I’ve known since a kid. I debuted here. This club gave me an opportunity out of school, and I’m forever in debt to this club.
“I’ve made lifelong friendships here, I forged my footy [at the Broncos] and I’ll go beyond footy now, so I’m very grateful for my time here.
“But I’m excited for the journey ahead.”
Haas’ swansong began with the Samoan international leading his team out at Accor Stadium.
Five minutes in, he steamed onto a Billy Walters ball, bulldozed three Bulldogs defenders, including Kikau, and scored the opening points of the game.
Not quite 10 minutes later, he was dumped in the sin bin as the fall guy for an ill-disciplined Broncos outfit, who had committed three ruck infringements in 10 tackles.
Haas’ ruck infringement followed breaches by Xavier Willison and Hunt.
Never before had Haas been sin-binned while playing for the Broncos.
In his final game in Broncos colours, he racked up 142 run metres from 14 carries, made six tackle breaks, laid 40 tackles and bagged a try.
He reflected on his cherished memories in the Broncos strip.
“Obviously last year winning a premiership,” he said.
“I think just the whole journey of it all, to be honest. We went to the highest of the highs, but also the lowest of the lows, and that’s how our friendships were forged. By hardship.
“We’ll go beyond footy now. We’ve got lifelong brothers here who I hold close to my heart and who I’ll keep on supporting from afar.”
The Broncos are losing Haas (Rabbitohs), Grant Anderson (Warriors), Gehamat Shibasaki (Bears) and Jesse Arthars (Catalans) in the off-season.
Captain Adam Reynolds has retired but will remain at the club in a coaching role.
